Eddie Jones feared prior to the NatWest Six Nations that some of England’s top players had been overworked on club duty and voiced his concerns to RFU CEO Steve Brown before the tournament began.

Brown’s revelations come amid suggestions of fatigue in the wake of three consecutive losses for England and a fifth-place finish in the tournament, their worst return since a Five Nations wooden spoon in 1983.

Nine of England’s starting XV for their opening match against Italy, five of them British and Irish Lions tourists, had already accumulated over 1,000 minutes in Premiership and European action for their respective clubs before the start of February.

Brown admitted that Jones had mentioned the work-loads of regular internationals to him. Although he refused to be drawn on specifics, the inference was that the England head coach had been keen for certain players to receive greater rest. Brown confirmed that Jones had subsequently relayed his thoughts to the relevant directors of rugby.

Brown, who joined the RFU as chief financial officer in 2011, remained optimistic of a turnaround in fortunes for Jones’ side. However, he also conceded that England’s current professional game agreement between Premiership Rugby and the RFU, which was announced in July 2016 and runs until 2024, does not function without occasional hitches. It was put to him that Jones has not always had his own way since September.