Northampton Saints flanker Tom Wood has labelled the scheduling of England's Test tour as "ridiculous".
England travel to New Zealand on June 7, just one week after the Premiership final, meaning that all players involved in that game will miss out.
Should Northampton meet Harlequins in the final, as many as eight first-choice players will be ruled out for England until the second Test.
"I think it's ridiculous," Wood is quoted as saying by ESPN. "It splits your loyalties and it is a question you should never have to ask yourself.
"The reality is that playing for a Premiership final could do you out of an England cap. For some people, that could be their first cap or the difference between getting in the side and cementing your place or not.
"Those are questions you should never have to ask. You should be doing the best you can for your club and playing yourself into contention for your country. The two should never be in conflict."
The RFU requested that the Tests be put back one week, but this was refused by the New Zealand board.
Daniel Lewis
