Ashton named his side for the RBS 6 Nations trip to Dublin on February 24 early in the hope it would persuade clubs to rest those players included in the starting line-up.

The policy has met with mixed success so far. Newcastle's Jonny Wilkinson will miss Saturday's clash with Bristol while most of Leicester's international contingent will not be asked to start against Worcester.

With Leicester judging each case on its own merits, only Julian White will feature at Sixways because he was on bench duty against Scotland and Italy.

The same approach ensures Andy Farrell will be in action for Saracens against Gloucester on Sunday as the rugby league convert has made just five appearances for the club in the last two and a half months.

Ashton is waiting on confirmation from Wasps, Gloucester, Sale and Bath on whether their England stars will be selected over the weekend, with the clubs likely to name their team line-ups on Friday.

But Premier Rugby, the umbrella organisation for the 12 Premiership teams, reminded those clubs they are free to pick their England players if they wish.

A statement read: 'There has been much speculation about the 22 players selected for the match against Ireland and their participation in Premiership round 15.

'The RFU has rightly confirmed that the decision as to whether a player plays during the fallow weeks of the Six Nations is entirely with the clubs.

'As ever the clubs will make this decision based on the right balance between playing and rest for each individual player.

'The decision as to whether any England player plays in this weekend's Guinness Premiership matches will therefore remain with club directors of rugby.'

Those that do feature over the weekend will be able to complete just a single day of full training with England before the crucial match against Ireland.