English rugby's players' union have branded plans to impose performance-related pay on international stars as "unfair".

The Rugby Football Union are currently in talks with the Professional Rugby Players' Association over the issue of match fees.

PRA chairman David Barnes told the Daily Telegraph: "The major bone of contention is win bonuses on a match-by-match basis. In a team game in which anything can happen and the team can play very well and lose, we believe that to be unfair."

There have also been reports England players were threatening strike action over the new four-year contracts, with next month's tour of New Zealand under threat.

But both the RFU and PRA played down that possibility, with the former saying in a statement that talks were continuing in a "positive and productive manner".