FRENCH sports minister Guy Drut said yesterday that 10 French internationals, said to be in talks with English clubs, would not be barred from playing for their country if they moved abroad.

"The federation would quickly find itself in the European Court of Justice if it tried to bar players from the national team. In a way it's not surprising to see so many top class players talking to English clubs because no proper professional system has been put in place in France," he said.

Federation officials had raised the prospect of barring players from the national side when they feared an exodus after Philippe Sella signed for Saracens.