Club versus country row surrounds Haskell

Stade said in a statement on Tuesday that the former Wasps forward, who joined the Parisians last summer, needs to return to France as they do not have an agreement with England that would allow Haskell to remain with the national side. This week is not considered an international week by the International Rugby Board as there are no RBS Six Nations fixtures this weekend, but the RFU insist an agreement exists that allows the 24-year-old to remain with Martin Johnson's side.

An RFU spokesman said: "Our position is as it has been for the past two days. James will be staying with England as his contract with Stade Francais allows him to be available during EPS (Elite Player Squad) periods. We have nothing further to add."

Haskell, who has featured in the last 20 England Tests, has started all three games of the current Six Nations campaign, scoring two tries and earning the man-of-the-match award in the win over Wales at Twickenham.

In their strongly-worded statement, Stade said: "The RFU have surely confused us with other clubs such as Toulon, who had to accept an agreement for this season relating to Jonny Wilkinson.

"Therefore, Stade Francais are ordering James Haskell, who has already missed two training sessions, to kindly rejoin his club urgently."