http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/9258524.stm
Hopley warns of legal challenge to RFU's England plans
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Wilkinson is one of the players affected by the rule
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Rugby Players' Association chief executive Damian Hopley says England's plan not to select foreign-based players could face a legal challenge.
The Rugby Football Union said last week that after the 2011 World Cup only those playing for domestic clubs would be able to play for England.
But Hopley is concerned that this will affect players' earning potential.
"I am sure the stance is eminently challengeable if a party wanted to take it further," he said.
"We want the best players for England but this approach could be seen as somewhat heavy-handed.
"I understand the intentions behind the approach but there are a lot of people in the game who are nervous about the execution and practice of what is being requested.
"We all have to be realistic about EU legislation and if there is a restraint on a player it goes to the heart of freedom of movement for our members.
"We will be taking legal advice once we see the letter [sent to players by RFU chief executive John Steele] but I have no doubt if there was an appetite by an agent or a player to consider challenging this they would be on strong ground.
"Players will now be forced to make some very big decisions about their careers far sooner than some may have anticipated."
Three members of the England squad - Jonny Wilkinson, Tom Palmer and James Haskell - currently play overseas.
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</td></tr></tbody></table>Wilkinson, who plays at Toulon, and Haskell at Stade Francais, are both out of contract at the end of this season. If they choose to continue playing in France, they could be signalling the end of their international careers.
Palmer, who is a team-mate of Haskell at the Paris-based team and started all four autumn Tests, has one more year left on his contract after this season but it is understood he would not be penalised for that, unless he signs an extension.
Similarly, Sale prop Andrew Sheridan may now reconsider his proposed move to a French Top 14 club because of the potential repercussions on his England future.
Although the RFU believes the move gives England the best chance of winning the 2015 World Cup, it has left itself the option of selecting an overseas-based player under undefined "exceptional circumstances".
However, Hopley would not want to see a player mount a legal challenge because the RPA recognises, along with the RFU and the clubs, how important a strong Premiership is.
"We want to do what is best for English rugby and we recognise having our best English players based in the Premiership and having strong Heineken Cup squads is best for English rugby and ultimately England," he said.
"We unequivocally support making the Premiership the best in the world but we can't look at it in isolation. Players have to be mindful they are one injury away from ending their careers.
"They need to be maximising their earning potential in an environment that benefits both their rugby and post-rugby careers."
He added that one longer term solution would be to consider an increase in the salary cap from its current level of £4m, which is around half the amount available to Top 14 clubs.
"We have to look at all things in the round including the salary cap so we can compete financially and holistically to make ourselves more attractive," he said.
"We have to look at how we operate as an industry and the entire offering for our players to ensure we make retaining our top players a priority."
