Newcastle coach John Fletcher has angrily rejected suggestions Jonny Wilkinson is being "rested" from Guinness Premiership action this weekend on England's request.
On Tuesday Fletcher said Wilkinson, who will be on Six Nations duty in Dublin next week, would miss Newcastle's clash with Bristol this Sunday.
The Rugby Football Union hope the entire England starting line-up selected for Croke Park will not be involved in Premiership games this weekend.
But the clubs are under no obligation to rest players and Fletcher insists the only reason Wilkinson will miss the west country trip is because he is not fit.
Fletcher said: "I thought the statement we put out on Tuesday was pretty clear, but it seems to have been misinterpreted by a lot of people.
"Nowhere in the statement did it say Jonny was being rested, and nowhere in the statement did it say the decision was made in consultation with England. It was a joint decision made between myself, Jonny and our medical team.
"The decision was that Jonny is not fit to play.
"He hasn't trained with the team this week. He is carrying bumps, bruises and strains after two massive games, and the decision was that he was not ready for selection.
"That is the reason he hasn't been picked. Had he been available, he would have been involved, it is as straightforward as that.
"I have not had a conversation with England, other than to tell them what decision we had reached as a club."
Premier Rugby claimed England had resorted to "emotional blackmail" by naming their team to face Ireland six days ahead of schedule.
They added that decisions regarding the England players' involvement this weekend would be taken on a case-by-case basis.
Newcastle have included England replacements Toby Flood and Mathew Tait in the team that will tackle Bristol at the Memorial Stadium.
Leicester quartet Martin Corry, Harry Ellis, George Chuter and Louis Deacon will only be involved from the bench against Worcester tomorrow night, if at all.
And Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan must decide how to employ Josh Lewsey, England captain prop Phil Vickery and flanker Joe Worsley against Sale on Sunday. Agencies
