In 2000 the England squad briefly went on strike over pay

England rugby players say controversial plans to introduce performance-related contracts are unfair.

Instead of paying players a flat rate of around �100,000 a year, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has reportedly offered �65,000, plus win bonuses.

"The major bone of contention is win bonuses on a match-by-match basis," said Professional Rugby Players' Association chairman David Barnes.

"In a team game in which anything can happen, we believe that to be unfair."

England Test stars are currently paid �9,000 per game but the flat-rate agreement expires at the end of June.

The RFU is in negotiations with the Professional Rugby Players' Association and players' representatives over match fees for games played from July 2008 to June 2012.

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Barnes said the two sides were involved in a major dispute over the new four-year contracts.

"There is a bit of a problem at the moment - not exclusively about money," Barnes added.

"I don't believe England players are frightened of the concept of an end-of-tournament bonus being paid on top of a fair and negotiated match fee calculated on their finishing position in the Six Nations and World Cup."

Reports had suggested that the summer tour to New Zealand could be affected by a possible player strike, but Damian Hopley, the chief executive of the PRA, dismissed those as "not true and not helpful".

"The talks are moving in the right direction and both sides are committed to finding a solution which, I hope, will be reached next week," he said.

Payment for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand is incorporated in the existing agreement.

Back in 2000, the England squad, then led by new manager Martin Johnson, went on a brief strike in a row over financial arrangements before the issue was resolved.