England flanker James Haskell is being kept prisoner by the Rugby Football Union who refuse to release him to play for his club this weekend, Stade Francais president Max Guazzini said on Thursday.

The French club have demanded that the RFU release Haskell to play in a domestic Top 14 match against Toulouse on Saturday but the RFU insist they are not obliged to do so.

"I'm very sorry it has come to this. The RFU is keeping him prisoner," Guazzini told BBC Sport on Thursday. "Frankly, their attitude lacks respect."

England do not play again in the Six Nations until March 13 when they visit Scotland but say Haskell's contract states he will not be released during Elite Player Squad periods.

Stade Francais dispute that he can't play for his club this weekend and Guazzini accused the RFU of putting pressure on the player who he claims is not honouring his contract.

"If he has an agreement (to stay with England), let him produce it. He's not respecting his contract but he's in a difficult position. He's under pressure from the RFU," Guazzini said.

BINDING AGREEMENT

"They are blackmailing him by saying, 'If you return, we will kick you out of the team.' This is incredible from people who always take cover behind the rules."

The RFU has a binding agreement with all English clubs but that agreement does not apply to French clubs.

"The RFU pays the English clubs so they can have access to their players when they want," Guazzini said.

"They don't pay Stade Francais anything. Their refusal to release James is against the rules. It is immoral. It is not my fault England lost to Ireland at Twickenham."

Earlier on Thursday, England's elite rugby director Rob Andrew defended the RFU's stance, saying England's France-based players were told of their obligations before they signed.

"What we asked the English players to do a year ago, if they were contemplating going to France, was to ensure that they effectively had the same EPS release periods for training that we have with the English players based in England," Andrew said.

"James and his advisors have told us that he has an agreement with the club that allows him to be here when we wish him to be here."