England stars Maro Itoje and Marcus Smith consider leaving Premiership :

Two key members of Steve Borthwick’s England squad could be unavailable to him after the Rugby World Cup as Maro Itoje and Marcus Smith consider deals in France and Japan.

Itoje and Smith both featured prominently for England during the Six Nations, with Itoje being one of two players to play every minute of the campaign.

England’s selection policy

England‘s current rules around player selection prohibits Borthwick from selecting players outside of the Premiership. An exception was made during the 2023 Six Nations following the collapse of Wasps and Worcester Warriors.

This exception allowed Jack Willis to represent the Red Rose during the tournament, but he will be ineligible after the Rugby World Cup.

A report by The Times states that Itoje and Smith are ‘frustrated’ by the RFU’s position around selection, which Borthwick is also challenging.

It is also believed the stars want England players to have a seat at the table around these decisions, something the Wales players also fought for during the Six Nations.

The pair are highly marketable players and could demand higher salaries in France and Japan, which Premiership clubs cannot match.

Following Saracens’ relegation from the Premiership in 2020, Itoje reportedly sparked a bidding war in France with Racing 92, Bordeaux, Lyon and Montpellier all interested in his services.

Expiring contracts

With Itoje’s Saracens contract expiring in 2024 and Smith’s Harlequins deal ending simultaneously, the report states that both players have already received interest in their services.

The list of England players heading overseas is rapidly growing, with Exeter Chiefs losing Sam Simmonds and Luke Cowan-Dickie to Montpellier, with Harry Williams likely to follow.

Joe Marchant will join Stade Francais next season, while David Ribbans is linking up with Toulon.

Jack Nowell was not part of Borthwick’s Six Nations squad, but he too is set to sign a deal in France, and more are expected to follow.

Will the Premiership and RFU reconsider?

Last month, Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor said that the current restrictions would remain in place.

“Having our English players playing within the Premiership is important for England and for the Premiership,” Massie-Taylor told the PA news agency.

“From the RFU’s, ours and even the players’ perspective, we all see the importance of England internationals playing domestically.

“Provisions exist for exceptional circumstances that will probably still carry on going forward, but we all agree England international players should be playing in the Premiership.

“There will always be an international market for players, and players have that choice to go abroad and not play for England.”

A source who spoke to The Times believed that Itoje and Smith’s potential departure could sway the RFU’s decision.

“When the biggest high-profile stars are looking to leave the Premiership, maybe the RFU will have to…