England bosses are “all in agreement” on refusing to select overseas-based stars despite Toulouse trying to prise Manu Tuilagi away from Leicester, according to RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie.

Top 14 giants Toulouse are attempting to offer Tuilagi a fresh start in France, after the 23-year-old was dropped by England following his conviction for assaulting police officers.

England will head into the World Cup without Toulon’s standout back-rower Steffon Armitage owing to their staunch policy of overlooking foreign-based stars, save for the “exceptional circumstances” clause that has never been invoked.

Toulouse are keen to capitalise on England banning Tuilagi until January following his assault conviction, and the Leicester star’s ongoing groin injury problems.

“I think the policy is the right one, we’re all in agreement that it’s the right one,” Ritchie told PA Sport yesterday.

“It’s been applied in the right way and now we’ve got to focus on who we’ve got, we’ve got a great squad and the next three months are crucial in the preparation.”

Toulouse are understood to be prepared to buy Tuilagi out of the remainder of his Leicester contract, that runs until summer 2016.

Any move to France would clearly curtail Tuilagi’s England chances for the duration of a stay across The Channel, but the RFU and Stuart Lancaster are fully intent on standing firm on their already-established selection principles.

World Cup-winner Jonny Wilkinson urged Tuilagi not to make any quick-fire decisions based purely in reaction to a testing few months.

Speaking at Twickenham to mark 100 days until the start of the Rugby World Cup, the 36-year-old said Tuilagi should chase “a life he enjoys” whether that means staying at Leicester or moving to France.

“I know the Tuilagi family all rally round each other and will be there to help him make the best decision, and good for them,” Wilkinson said.

“Whatever he does, if it’s to go and compete in France and show what he’s got, then he’ll still have options later in his career to reflect and say ‘what do I want to do’?”

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