Rugby raid plans revealed

The other three on the list are St Helens' Great Britain hooker Kieron Cunningham and the Leeds pair of Chev Walker and Kevin Sinfield, who is out of the running after signing a four-year deal with the Rhinos.

Woodward, whose earlier attempts to sign league players fell foul of the political war between the RFU and its clubs, has spoken to Radlinski and his agent. 'Once this peace deal is finalised, it will be full steam ahead,' said Cotton, chairman of the RFU's Club England sub-committee. 'I never had any doubt Robinson would make it and I have no doubt about Henry Paul making it either.' Despite Paul's appearance for New Zealand in a league Test against Australia less than a fortnight ago, England have no qualms about claiming him as one of theirs on the strength of a Cumbrian grandfather. 'Henry Paul coming to rugby union is fantastic news,' said Cotton. 'Now we're talking. 'He has the ability to be a superstar like Robinson in rugby union, which has a far wider international appeal than league. And that is why they want to come. They want the big stage. 'The players in both codes have the choice of where they want to play. Nobody is trying to undermine rugby league. I am a great admirer of league but we are in a competitive market place and the players have the choice.' England see Paul and Radlinski as curing their chronic shortage of centres beyond the established pair of Mike Catt and Will Greenwood.

The peace deal, due to be signed on Friday, gives Woodward the clout to make Radlinski a formal offer in conjunction with any one of several Premiership clubs. His hands have been tied until now, so much so that the RFU's joint financing of Robinson's £1m move from Wigan to Sale last November had to be withdrawn when the rest of the Premiership threatened to boycott the Manchester club on the grounds that they had been given preferential treatment. Sale owner Brian Kennedy shouldered the burden instead and the club will now expect to be compensated. Sale chief executive Peter Deakin, who also has a league background, said:'We will be putting in a claim to that effect. 'There is no doubt Jason has been the catalyst for all these other players coming from league.'

Paul's transfer will fall into the same category but the RFU denies any strategic plan to target league players other than the six on their list. RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: 'We don't want a turf war with rugby league. It's a free market and if they want to try rugby union, we have to put together a package to help them make the transfer.' Wales, ready to go as high as £800,000 to secure Iestyn Harris' transfer from Leeds, are also preparing to spend another £300,000 buying Cunningham out of his contract with St Helens. England are offering him an alternative career with them.