 In 2001 , the top clubs and the RFU formed " England Rugby " to help govern the club and international game . The parties agreed to restrict the number of matches at club and international level that elite players ( a group of 50 or 60 players selected by the RFU ) could play in order to reduce player burnout and injuries . In return for releasing players from club commitments , the clubs were to receive compensation from the RFU . This agreement was considered central to the England victory in the 2003 World Cup . Clive Woodward , England coach from November 1997 , resigned in 2004 because he was unable to get the access to the players that he wanted ; " I wanted more from the union – more training days with the players , more influence over the way they were treated – and ended up with less . " Andy Robinson , Woodward 's successor , blamed the lack of control over players for his team 's unsuccessful record . Brian Ashton , who took over from Robinson , intentionally named his playing squad for Six Nations matches in 2007 early in the hope that their clubs would not play them in the weekend prior to a Test . The RFU and the Premiership clubs are negotiating a similar deal to the one in 2001 that will enable international players to be released into the England squad prior to international matches . 
 In 2001 , the top clubs and the RFU formed " England Rugby " to help govern the club and international game . The parties agreed to restrict the number of matches at club and international level <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>that</mark></a>elite players ( a group of 50 or 60 players selected by the RFU ) could play in order to reduce player burnout and injuries . In return for releasing players from club commitments , the clubs <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> to receive compensation from the RFU . This agreement was considered central to the England victory in the 2003 World Cup . Clive Woodward , England coach from November 1997 , resigned in 2004 because he was unable to get the access to the players <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>that</mark></a>he wanted ; " I wanted more from the union – more training days with the players , more influence over the way they <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> treated – and ended up with less . " Andy Robinson , Woodward <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>successor , blamed the lack of control over players for his team <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>unsuccessful record . Brian Ashton , <a href='null_relcl' title='7'><mark>who</mark></a>took over from Robinson , intentionally named his playing squad for Six Nations matches in 2007 early in the hope that their clubs would not play them in <a href='None' title='8'><mark>the</mark></a><a href='negative_concord' title='9'><mark>weekend</mark></a> prior to a Test . The RFU and the Premiership clubs are negotiating a similar deal to the one in 2001 <a href='null_relcl' title='10'><mark>that</mark></a>will enable international players to be released into the England squad prior to international matches . 
In 2001 , da top clubs and the RFU formed " England Rugby " to help govern tdaclub and international game . The parties agreed to restrict the number of matches at club and international level elite players ( a group of 50 or 60 players selected by thdaFU ) could play in order to reduce player burnout and injuries . In return for releasing players from club commitments , the clubs was to receive compensation from the RFU . This agreement was considered central to the England victory in theda03 World Cup . Clive Woodward , England coach from November 1997 , resigned in 2004 cuz he was unable to get the access to the players he wanted ; " I wanted more from the daon – more training days with the pdaers , more influence over the way they was treated – and ended up witt less . " Andy Robinson , Woodward  successor , blamed the ladaof control over players for his team  unsuccessful record . Brian Ashton , took over from Robinson , intentionally named his playin squad for Six Nations matches in 2007 early in the hope that their clubs would not play them in no weekend prior to a Test . The RFU and the Premiership clubs are negotiating a similar deal to the one in 2001 gon enable international players to be released into the England squad prior to international matches .