While the league has been a commercial and competitive success, it may not have been so beneficial for the national side. World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward left over the issue of player release from clubs, and players have suffered numerous injuries ahead of England’s poor start to the RBS Six Nations campaign.
England backs Charlie Hodgson and Mark Cueto, who played against France in the defeat on Sunday, will be in club action for Sale on Friday night against Leeds, while their international team-mates will return to the league fray on Saturday or Sunday.
The Ireland and Wales squads, meanwhile, will have the weekend off.
Premier Rugby’s chief executive, Howard Thomas, told the Guardian newspaper that it was recognised that squads needed to be larger and the £250,000 would be in addition to the salary cap, set to top £2million next season.
He added that a three-year study has been commissioned into the issue of player welfare and ‘burn-out’.
The aim is for each club to have a squad of 40 players.
