19 Feb 2009

Kiwi Flutey and two teammates leave for France

10:47 pm on 19 February 2009

New Zealand's England rugby international Rikki Flutey has become part of a growing exodus of players leaving England to join French clubs.

Flutey will be joining Brive at the end of the season, and two other Wasps internationals Tom Palmer and James Haskell will be going to Stade Francais.

A weak pound and a league salary cap are behind a worrying trend for English rugby.

England internationals playing for overseas clubs are not bound by the agreement under which English clubs release them for international games.