WASPS owner Chris Wright has blasted the RFU over their attempts to take over players' contracts.

The RFU want to control England's star players but Wright reckons that would be a disaster for the club game.

He said: "The RFU should thank the clubs for stepping into the breach when professional rugby started and developed the club game.

"The club owners and people who have invested in it need an awful lot of credit for the way it has developed, and I think it's difficult for some at Twickenham to take on board the fact the sport has developed and moved on from what it was ten years ago.

"Those who have developed it are not the suits and blazers from Twickenham but those involved in the club game.

"No-one objects to the RFU running the sport, but in return the RFU have to accept the clubs have a major part to play in it."

Clubs governing body Premier Rugby have offered to give their players an extra week off before this season's Autumn internationals, as well as giving England 19 training days for the senior EPS players.

Premier Rugby are looking to diffuse the current row between themselves and the RFU.

The RFU are withholding £120,000 of player payments from the British Lions to three clubs, including £30,000 to Wasps, because they failed to give their Lions players 11-weeks rest.

But Premier Rugby warned the RFU to stop lengthening England tours that go into the agreed 11-week rest period.