The RFU have been forced to deny accusations of ‘deceitful and under-hand’ conduct, amid escalating tensions over their bid to arrange a match between England and the All Blacks this autumn.

As revealed by Sportsmail earlier this week, the union are desperately striving to convince the world champions to agree to a fixture at Twickenham on November 4.

It has now been alleged that RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie is threatening to veto the match which New Zealand had provisionally agreed to; against the Barbarians – in the same venue, on the same day.

England are keen to take on New Zealand at Twickenham in a match on November 4

New Zealand had provisionally agreed to play Barbarians at the same venue on the same day

A well-placed source has revealed that Ritchie made renewed contact with his Kiwi counterpart, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew, on Thursday night.

It is understood that the response from Tew was to reiterate that the NZRU wish for the All Blacks to play the Barbarians, in a ceremonial fixture with profound historical resonance, to mark their 125th anniversary.

However, Ritchie is believed to have countered by stating that there is a meeting of the RFU’s board next week and that, as the national governing body, they may refuse approval for the match to take place within their jurisdiction. This stance indicates the union’s willingness to adopt ultra-aggressive negotiating tactics, in order to force the issue – although the RFU insist that there has been no threat of a veto.

There was already unrest among leading English clubs, who were unaware of the proposed England-New Zealand fixture until Sportsmail revealed the plans. Now, it appears the Premiership sides are not alone in feeling aggrieved. Another source claimed that the Barbarians regard the RFU’s conduct as ‘deceitful and under-hand’.

Their gripe is seemingly based on a dispute over the chronology of this saga. The union’s official line is that they only became aware of the proposed Barbarians v All Blacks game a few weeks ago and have simply made tentative enquiries about whether England could participate instead. Yet, the Barbarians insist that permission was originally sought last November – and that the RFU had given outline consent for their match to take place; even agreeing a stadium hire fee of £500,000.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, pictured lifting the World Cup at Twickenham in 2015

Last night, the RFU sought to clarify the situation; emphasising that the fixture they had approved was to have been between Australia and the Barbarians. However, they stated that was then ‘taken off the table’ by the promoter and replaced by a proposed Barbarians-All Blacks game instead. The union are adamant that they have never given any approval for that contest to take place – and also reject any accusation of improper conduct.

An RFU spokeswoman said: ‘Any suggestion that we have not behaved correctly is untrue. We have only recently received a formal request from the Barbarians promoter confirming that they have moved the previously approved fixture to Australia, in order to seek permission for the New Zealand fixture to take place at Twickenham. This fixture is subject to RFU Board approval – we have always been clear on this.’

England have not faced New Zealand since November 2014 and are not, in theory, scheduled to do so again until the autumn series next year. Their rise to No 2 in the world rankings has generated considerable demand for a first-versus-second contest, but there have also been concerns expressed about financial motives and player welfare, especially in the aftermath of a Lions tour.