The strength of the Euro against the pound and the absence of a salary cap in France mean players can be offered potentially lucrative contracts in comparison to what is on offer back in England.

England team manager Martin Johnson has already stated that he will select the best players available but the RFU have now suggested they expect certain terms to be included in the contracts of England players moving abroad.

"Should Senior EPS players contract to play their rugby overseas, the RFU will expect the following provisions to be included in their new contracts with their overseas employers for them to remain in or be included in the Senior EPS, " said an RFU statement.

"Release to England for all EPS training, preparation and profiling days as set out in the RFU/PRL agreement;

"Release to England for World Cup preparation as set out in the RFU/PRL agreement;

"Release for all international periods including 'blocking weeks' and 'fallow weeks' and the England summer tour;

"The agreed 'rest weekends' in the pre-Autumn and pre-Six Nations International periods to be honoured;

"A maximum game limit of 32 games per year to be agreed;

"'No play' provision within five days of a match to be agreed;

"Minimum 10 week 'off-season' to be agreed;

"Acceptance of the principles of the Medical Protocol;

"Provision of data on all fitness and medical issues for inclusion on the RFU's EPAS system."

The RFU have also made it clear that they believe keeping their best players playing in the Guinness Premiership is the best way forward for the international game in England, although they did admit that moving overseas would not prevent a player from being selected for the England side.

"The Board were unanimous in their view that it was in the best interests of the England team and the Guinness Premiership that the best England players should play in the Premiership for the following reasons," the statement continued.

"It would enable full implementation of all elements of the EPS programme package in the new RFU/PRL agreement;

"It would facilitate regular opportunities for the England team manager and his coaching team to watch Senior EPS players and to engage with them and their club coaches;

"It would maintain the competitiveness of Guinness Premiership clubs in the Heineken Cup (and it would) continue to build on the success, strength and attractiveness of the Guinness Premiership.

"Selection for the England team will remain solely a matter for the England team manager and he will retain the right to select any players playing overseas under the terms of the IRB Regulations on player release.

"The RFU CEO will be writing to each EPS player and to all Premiership and National Division One clubs setting out the above policy."