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England players should play their club rugby at home but if they move overseas they must ensure their contracts have the same provisions for international duty, the RFU has said.

The RFU was reacting to concerns over an exodus of players, notably this month's announcement that Wasps' England trio James Haskell, Riki Flutey and Tom Palmer were joining French clubs.

With English teams restricted by a salary cap and many of their French counterparts seemingly riding out the credit crunch with ease, others seem likely to follow.

The RFU, having this season reached agreement with English clubs on a range of measures regarding release and availability for England matches and training, are concerned those arrangements could be jeopardised by players moving overseas.

The RFU's management board discussed the matter on Wednesday and issued a detailed statement of their position.

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," the statement said.

The statement added that any player in the Elite Player Squad (EPS) joining a foreign club should ensure their contract includes a host of provisions to ensure they are not disadvantaged alongside players at English clubs.

These include release to England sessions, as set out in the existing agreement with the English clubs, a limit on the number of games to be played and strict rules on the amount of guaranteed rest.

"We accept that there will always be some players who wish to develop their careers overseas and we are now establishing the framework as to how such moves could be made whilst still being a member of the EPS programme," said Rob Andrew (pictured), the RFU's elite rugby director.

England manager Martin Johnson, who has selected Brive-based fly-half Andy Goode in all three of his Six Nations squads this season, said: "I am pleased that the RFU has drawn up a clear policy on these matters so that players know where they stand.

"I am particularly concerned to see that we are able to take the strongest squad on tour each summer as we develop towards the World Cup in 2011."

Haskell, seen as a key member of England's pack as they develop over the next few years, said on Wednesday he would never have agreed to join Stade Francais had they not agreed to honour all his England commitments.

"Playing for England is the driving force in my game and I would never do anything to put that at risk," Haskell said after being named in the side to face Ireland on Saturday.

"Contrary to what many people have said, the move is not all about money and if Stade had not agreed to recognise all my England release dates and the other EPS issues then I would not have considered signing."

Reuters