Rugby: Threat to England tour

England’s tour to North America has been thrown into jeopardy after talks broke down between club owners and the Rugby Football Union.

Damien Hopley, the chief executive of the Professional Rugby Players’ Association, has warned squad members that the five-match tour, due to start on Monday, could be called off.

‘‘The players want to go but I have had to tell them to be prepared to stand down,’’ Hopley said.

‘‘The international between England and the Barbarians on Sunday will go ahead as scheduled and the dispute will not affect the participation of the 18 English men selected for the British Isles tour to Australia.’’

Negotiations between Premier Rugby Partnership and the RFU had continued throughout yesterday in an attempt to reach a resolution over the future direction of the sport.

In March the clubs had said they would consider the withdrawing services as a last resort if talks continued to stall.

Cancellation of the tour would lead to severe censure by the International Rugby Board as well as hefty compensation to the American and Canadian unions.