England players Martin Johnson and Neil Back have both hinted at possible retirement from international rugby after next year's World Cup in Australia.
The Leicester forwards have won more than 100 caps between them, while England captain Johnson led the Lions in South Africa five years ago and to Australia last summer.
"The World Cup seems to me to be the appropriate time to go from the Test scene and concentrate on my club career," Johnson said.
"I made a commitment to play international rugby through to the World Cup.
"For any player getting to my sort of age - I will be nearly 34 by then - the build-up will be massive, hugely demanding.
"This season and next season will almost blend together because England have 14 games before the World Cup starts in October, 2003," Johnson said.
"I cannot look beyond getting my place back in the England squad, and to achieve that, I must play to my best for Leicester."
Johnson and Back were both rested for England's summer tour of Argentina. Back, 33, said: "If I am fortunate enough to make it through to the World Cup, I will pass the great Peter Winterbottom's total of 58 caps, a record for an England openside flanker."
• A North Kildare President's XV will take the Leinster Junior team at 2 p.m. today to mark the official opening of North Kildare RFC's new clubhouse facilities. The club are also celebrating their 75th year.
