England are likely to field a weakened team for the first Test of their New Zealand tour in June next year because of a club season overlap.
The Test on June 7 falls just a week after the English Premiership final on May 31.
Players involved in that final would fly to New Zealand immediately afterwards but arrive too late to be considered for selection.
A repeat of last season's final between Leicester and Northampton could deprive England coach Stuart Lancaster of more than 10 of his squad for the first of three Tests.
The same problem was encountered this year by France, who were forced to arrive on a staggered basis for the three-Test series in New Zealand due to club commitments.
A statement from the Rugby Football Union said the situation wasn't ideal but would allow Lancaster to develop depth.
"Because of the Premiership final, England will, due to restricted training time and jet lag recovery protocol, be without certain players for the first match.
"While this situation is not perfect, it is an opportunity for a wider group of England players to put a marker down."
The RFU is negotiating with the New Zealand Rugby Union for England to play a midweek game on the tour, probably between the second and third Tests.
France beat the Blues 38-15 on this year's tour, in a match that fell between the first and second Tests.
Share
