Lambert, the Harlequins prop forward who is in his third year as RPA chairman, admitted that the clubs, who had originally brought in 25 per cent pay cuts, were now having to take further action to secure their futures.

“The principle of being furloughed as a means of helping to save clubs is something that the players totally understand,” Lambert told Telegraph Sport.

“We expect the majority of players and staff in the league as well as many RFU staff, if it hasn’t already happened, to be furloughed imminently.

“The clubs have serious concerns around their financial futures and – the programme is in place to support that cash flow into the business to pay wages of people who can’t do their job and we pretty much fall into that category at the moment.

“There is pressure from all sides and valid concerns from all parties and we totally acknowledge that and feel it as well. We represent the players and they absolutely want to be part of the solution."

Lambert said the RPA’s club representatives had been “outstanding” during this fraught process and that the organisation was seeking clarity and guarantees to ensure that the lowest paid members players and members of staff were shielded from the cuts. There is also concern that a number of players, who are out of contract in June, could be left without a club given the freeze in recruitment.

The RPA’s charity Restart, which provides financial, practical and emotional support to ill and injured players, is also requiring financial support given the cancellation of fund-raising weekends.

“Some clubs have already been furloughed, some players have been told it is going to happen and some clubs have sent out letters or agreements hoping for a response from players,” Lambert added. “We are right in the middle of that process.

“The game is under no illusions. The domestic game in England hasn’t been money-making for a few years and players are aware of that situation. As things stand, we are not talking about pay deferments, we are talking about pay cuts and players really stepping up to acknowledge that we need to be part of the solution.

“But it is totally reasonable for players to ask for some certainty about exactly what it is they are signing and what it will mean down the line. That does not mean we are questioning what needs to happen because we totally appreciate that it does.”

The RPA expects to be involved in a number of Professional Game Board meetings over the next two weeks. Lambert and his representatives are also seeking reassurances for player welfare about options about completing the domestic campaign during the summer months.

“Next season is supposed to be a full calendar, we have already got to fit in some additional Six Nations games and there is a Lions tour at the end of the season,” Lambert added. “So if you are looking for a solution that involves summer rugby this year, potentially you are then compromising what next year looks like.”

A Premiership Rugby spokesman said: "Some clubs have implemented a range of measures to ensure sustainability throughout the pandemic; these decisions are taken at the club’s independent discretion while their doors are closed and they are unable to play. We respect those clubs who have made those tough calls.”