RFU tells Stade that it will not release James Haskell

ENGLAND remain unmoved in their stance that James Haskell will not be returning to play for Stade Français this weekend, despite strong threats being made by the Top 14 club.

But the club-versus-country saga took an ironic twist when it emerged that Haskell sat out training yesterday after becoming the latest member of the England squad to be hit by a stomach bug. The England squad are preparing for a trip to Murrayfield tomorrow week but manager Martin Johnson refuted suggestions of a conveniently-timed illness.

"I spoke to the doctor and he said they were symptoms that could not be faked," Johnson explained.

Stade say the RFU must release Haskell. The RFU says it will not because the player has a separate agreement in place with Stade covering his release.

England's elite rugby director Rob Andrew said: "We have been given assurances by James and his advisors that he has an agreement with Stade that he can fulfil the release periods for England training.

"The position is between the player and the club. There is no issue here between the RFU and Stade Franais."

Stade owner Max Guazzini has appealed for the Six Nations committee to take action and ensured that Haskell's absence from training in Paris this week is independently verified.