World Rugby’s plan for a new global league of Test matches is said to be “dead in the water” after leading international players took the unprecedented step of speaking out against the proposal.

Reports of the latest version of World Rugby’s vision, which were published in the New Zealand Herald, sparked outrage on social media after it was revealed the Pacific Islands would be excluded from the 12-team league, with no prospect of promotion or relegation for 12 years.

There were also renewed fears over whether Lions tours would have to be scrapped and if rugby would be broadcast on domestic television as part of the deal.

But Six Nations sources last night said the proposal had been all but killed off by the shock intervention of three of the sport’s most senior figures in England captain Owen Farrell, New Zealand skipper Kieran Read, and reigning World Player of the Year Johnny Sexton.

All three are members of the International Rugby Players Council and after taking part in a conference call of 40 players they warned that welfare issues would render the World League unworkable.