The RFU is to approach World Rugby to ask how it can protect itself from cross-border talent raiders.

England Rugby is already well acquainted with scouts from Wales and Ireland working actively in England in the search for players who qualify for the Celtic nations.

However, the bar was raised further on Thursday when the Scottish union formalised the arrangement by officially appointing three former internationals, two of them full time, to the job of talent-spotting Anglo-Scottish players in England with a view to encouraging them to align themselves with Scotland.

England are powerless to stop players of dual nationality deciding to represent another country. However, the RFU invests more than £4 million a year in the development of up-and-coming players at the 14 club