Damian Hopley, chief executive of the Rugby Players Association, confirmed that its players are prepared to follow Australia’s example and take legal action should their commercial terms not be met.
“We do not want to go down that route, but it may be the only way of protecting the players’ legal rights,” he said.
The dispute also threatens players from South Africa, New Zealand, France, Ireland and Wales who are all refusing to sign away image rights and object to the lack of prize money.
Added Hopley: “The event will gross profits of £50million. The football and cricket World Cups have prize money, why not rugby? Boycott isn’t an appropriate word at this time but the majority of the world’s best players won’t be able to play under this agreement.”
The continuing row over image rights in the build-up to this year's Rugby World Cup has intensified with England players refusing to sign their participation agreement.
