RFU to confirm it will ban any male player who joins R360 league from international duty

• R360's recruitment plans hit with no England pathway

• Women's Six Nations clash may alter Red Roses rules

The Rugby Football Union is preparing to confirm that male players who sign contracts to join R360 will be banned from playing for England with a formal announcement expected as soon as next week.

The Mike Tindall-backed rebel league has secured funding from private equity firms to launch a shortened competition next October, but the sport's traditional powerbrokers are lining up to oppose them, with the international players' union yesterday telling their members they will not endorse the new competition.