English chiefs are exploring the viability of central contracts and how a seismic shift in domestic rugby could solve two of their biggest conundrums.
England are thought to be looking seriously at how to implement a system of direct RFU payment for Test players.
Chief executive Bill Sweeney refused to rule out central contracts as part of talks for a new Professional Game Agreement between clubs and country, that must come into force in the 2024-25 Premiership season.
Examinations on the realities of union contracts have moved forward since then however, with some apparent willingness on all sides.
Central player deals have always been dismissed out of hand in England in the past, but the harsh financial realities faced by Premiership clubs have shifted that landscape.
The RFU could use central contracts to head off a player drain to France and also to help determine how to keep selecting those stars who do move overseas for their club rugby.
The Premiership clubs in the past would never have ceded such control to the RFU when it comes to player management.
The plight of folded Wasps and Worcester though, coupled with teams like Exeter starting to lose a nucleus of top stars to French clubs, has softened some mindsets.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has already admitted publicly that he wants to find a way to select all of his best players in the future.
That means continuing to pick overseas-based players beyond the autumn's World Cup, who will currently be off limits after the global gathering in France.
