England's leading rugby clubs have been told not to allow their stars to play in a exhibition match between the Barbarians and World Cup winners South Africa.

The game clashes with the final round of group matches in the EDF Energy Cup, in which eight sides still have a chance to qualify for the semi finals, and Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty says he is disappointed to hear several Premiership players have been approached individually after the board made the situation clear.

"I'm not surprised they've approached players, but I'm disappointed because they came to us centrally and we gave them the clear position that the board of the Premiership had confirmed," McCafferty said.

"It's disappointing if players have been approached when that is the case but we still expect the clubs to support the decision. They have to understand that during the season it is not possible these days.

"We have no stake or interest in that game. Our message to the Barbarians has been for some time that we are very willing to work with them on post-season games during the summer but it's very difficult, if not impossible, for us to release players during the season for those sort of representative fixtures."

McCafferty also insisted that players should "absolutely" put their clubs first and that clubs should refuse to release anyone.

"That's an EDF Energy weekend, one they are committed to," he continued. "As far as the clubs are concerned the communication to the Barbarians has been that we cannot and won't release players for that game.

"We've had a number of discussions with the clubs over thee last few weeks and are not expecting any of the English players to be released. They have enough pressures in terms of their club commitments.

"We do recognise the great cause of the Barbarians, the brand and the charitable causes they support and we are prepared to work with them on the end-of-season games they traditionally have and on some of the tours they do - but they have to understand that during the season it's not possible. Playing one-off fixtures like that during the season isn't feasible."

Ireland have joined the Premier League in also banning their stars from the match.

"Contrary to media reports, neither Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell or any of the selected squads from the Leinster or Munster panels will be available for selection for the upcoming Barbarians match against South Africa," the provinces said in a joint statement.

"The Barbarians were notified of the players' unavailability for this fixture several weeks ago. Leinster travel to Musgrave Park to face Munster in the Magners League on the Friday November 30."

O'Driscoll had been named as captain of the team, coach by Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan, more than two months ago.

While a host of European stars have been ruled out of the match, the one player with no Premiership commitment who was scheduled to take part was Jason Robinson (pictured). But Robinson is facing a race against time in his bid to recover from a dislocated shoulder sustained during the World Cup final.

Argentina fullback Ignacio Corleto is likely to replace Robinson and will join up with other fellow Pumas' Juan Martin Hernandez and Mario Ledesma, All Blacks' Jerry Collins and Sitiveni Sivivatu, and Wallabies Chris Latham, Matt Giteau and Rocky Elsom.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport