Wigan and Bradford reacted furiously yesterday after it emerged that high-ranking officials from the Rugby Football Union - including England manager Clive Woodward - have approached six of their contracted players to switch codes this autumn.

Maurice Lindsay, the Wigan chairman, believes Woodward is making a pre-emptive strike on behalf of Twickenham in case England players who last week signed a deal with their clubs to form the Premier Rugby Partnership refuse to play for the RFU.

"It's my understanding that the RFU have made an approach in view of the difficulty they are having following the formation of the Premier Rugby Partnership," said Lindsay.