 Although the England team is governed by the Rugby Football Union ( RFU ) , players have been contracted to their clubs since the advent of professionalism in late 1995 . Since then , players have often been caught in a " power struggle " between their clubs and the RFU ; this is commonly referred to as a " club versus country " conflict . The first major dispute between England 's top clubs ( who play in the English Premiership ) and the RFU occurred in 1998 , when some of the clubs refused to release players to tour Australia , New Zealand and South Africa . The tour became known as the " Tour from hell " after an England squad of second @-@ string players were defeated in all four Tests , including a 76 – 0 defeat by Australia . The clubs also withdrew from the 1998 / 99 European Cup . 
 Although the England team is governed by the Rugby Football Union ( RFU ) , players <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>have</mark></a> been contracted to their clubs since the advent of professionalism in late 1995 . Since then , players <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>have</mark></a> often been caught in a " power struggle " between their clubs and the RFU ; this is commonly referred to as a " club versus country " conflict . The first major dispute between England <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>top clubs ( <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>who</mark></a>play in the English Premiership ) and the RFU occurred in 1998 , when some of the clubs refused to release players to tour Australia , New Zealand and South Africa . The tour became known as the " Tour from hell " after an England squad of second @-@ string players <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> defeated in all four Tests , including a 76 – 0 defeat by Australia . The clubs also withdrew from the 1998 / 99 European Cup . 
Although da England team is governed by the Rugby Football Union ( RFU ) , players done been contracted to their clubs since the advent of professionalism in late 1995 . Since then , players done often been caught in a " power struggle " between their clubs and the RFU ; dis is commonly referred to as a " club versus country " conflict . Tdafirst major dispute between England  top clubs ( play in the English Premiership ) and thdaFU occurred in 1998 , when some of the clubs refused to release players to tour Australia , New Zealand and South Africa . The tour became known as the " Tour from hell " after an England squad of second @-@ string players was defeated in all 4 Tests , including a 76 – 0 defeat by Australia . The clubs also withdrew from theda98 / 99 European Cup .