Players pile the pressure on RFU to end Euro impasse

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They include opposition to any form of central contract and the clubs' right to be treated as equal partners with the RFU in Europe.

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Blanco: In his playing prime and now a major administrator of the game

The players are calling on Twickenham to end the impasse by giving half their shareholding the tournament to the clubs.

Their show of solidarity is designed to increase pressure on the RFU to reach a settlement before the Leicester-Wasps final at Twickenham on May French League president Serge Blanco has made it clear that the boycott by their top 14 clubs be abandoned if and when the RFU split the shareholding with their English counterparts.

The French and Italian Unions have already agreed to a similar share with their clubs. David Barnes, Bath's England A prop who is chairman of the Professional Rugby Players' Association, said: "The signatures have been collected and the information will be presented at our AGM next week.

"We will then decide how best to use information which gives a great insight into how our members think."

Marcelo Loffreda, confirmed on Wednesday as Leicester's head coach in succession to Pat Howard, will take charge after the World Cup in October. Forwards' coach Richard Cockerill will take temporary command this summer.

During seven years as head coach of his native Argentina, 47-year-old former Test centre Loffreda has guided his country into the top six of the world rankings with famous wins over England and France.

Leicester had spoken to several other international coaches, most notably Jake White of South Africa and the Wallabies' former Wales coach, Scott Johnson, before picking Loffreda.

Scotland fly half Gordon Ross will be playing for Saracens next season. A member of the Leeds squad relegated this time last year, the 28-year-old will return to the Premiership after a season with Castres.

Northampton, whose appeal against Dylan Hartley's six-month ban for gouging two Wasps players is to be heard next week, have decided not to make their 21-year-old England A hooker available for Saturday's home relegation decider against London Irish.