Top England players want the option of Test sabbaticals built into the RFU's new hybrid contract system.
Owen Farrell's break from England duty for the Six Nations has sparked a drive behind the scenes for a formalised system for players to take international rests.
England captain Farrell has opted to stand down from Test duty for the Six Nations, to protect his and his family's mental health.
Two-tier contracts will come into force in England for the first time next season, with the RFU funding boosting club deals for 25 England players.
England's players have been clear in their determination to have a voice in the negotiations on terms for the new funding set-up — and now senior stars are understood to want Premiership and RFU chiefs to explore setting up a sabbatical system.
England's top players are focused on improving provision around mental health and physical rest to protect themselves and prolong their Test careers.
Bosses at the RFU are busy thrashing out details with Premiership Rugby on the new system.
Rival Test nations have delivered union funding for player salaries since the game turned professional, but in England the clubs took control.
The RFU currently enjoy a more co-ordinated relationship with the clubs than at any other time, but the fine points of the new Professional Game Partnership have proved laborious. The PGP covers all areas of the agreement between the RFU and the clubs, and how to help to keep top players on home soil has become a central tenet in those talks.
An updated PGP will come into force next term, and the RFU have already confirmed their plans to award 25 hybrid contracts to top England players.
The union and England boss Steve Borthwick hope this will help stop more top players moving abroad.
Saracens and England star Jamie George urged the authorities to listen to players' views when talking after England's third-place play-off World Cup win.
