It is one thing where a single player (e.g. Marler) retires from internationals. For us it was a benefit last year, but one player doesn't make a team and it had knock on consequences - the other props knocked down the pecking order, Boyce left, replacement had to be found etc.

If several of a team's England players "retire" as a work around to their internal problems then why should another team suffer because their players get called up? If Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola refuses a call up, why should we potentially lose Brown, Smith and Dombrandt for the same period? That strengthens them but weakens us, or another team.

If the Saracens players refuse to be called up en masse then the other Premiership teams should refuse to fill the gaps.