Jason Robinson has warned England picking Nick Abendanon or Steffon Armitage in the World Cup-training squad will see a host of the country's best players opting to move overseas.

England's current selection policy sees those based abroad only picked in 'exceptional circumstances' and World Cup-winner Robinson believes that stance will see Abendanon left out of the larger England training squad which will be unveiled next week.

"The rules are the rules Abendanon doesn't come into it unless there is a change of policy," Robinson told ESPN. "His form has been great in the European games but he falls outside of the selection at the moment."

There are some who argue - and ESPN's Tom May is one - a home World Cup is such an 'exceptional circumstance' advocating the inclusion of players at Top 14 clubs. Both Abendanon and Armitage have been in impressive form for Clermont and Toulon respectively and continue to push their cases for international recognition.

Abendanon was last week crowned European Player of the Year while openside Armitage has been an integral part of the Toulon side that has won three European crowns on the bounce; he was named the continent's top player last season.

Despite their impressive form, Robinson believes if England decide to bring the exiles back it could be a case of short-term gain causing long-term damage.

"There are some good English-qualified players playing throughout the world," Robinson said, speaking on behalf of the O2 Think Big initiative. "But everybody knows the rules and if you go abroad, you aren't eligible for England. The guys who have stayed and have missed out on huge pay packets, it's not fair on them.

"If you are so keen to play for England then realistically your mindset should be [that] you need to be playing in England the year prior to the World Cup. That's how you should work your contract.

"If you relax the rules then everyone will go to France, there will be exodus as the chances are you will be paid a lot more money. If you can still get picked for England then you may as well go and have some sun in the south of France, get paid twice as much.

"It's a difficult one as we've seen what Australia have done in relaxing their rules, albeit not to a huge degree, but it's paved the way for a couple of good players to play for them in the World Cup. England have to stick to what they've said all along as it wouldn't be fair on the guys who have sacrificed other opportunities to stay in the country ... I'm glad I don't have to make the decision."

In the case of Abendanon, if England hand the Clermont fullback an unlikely spot in the training squad next week, he will have to usurp Saracens' Alex Goode and Harlequins' Mike Brown to get a spot at No.15 in the Test side. Goode and Brown have been Lancaster's go-to men in that position in recent times and Robinson, who started the 2003 and 2007 World Cup finals at fullback, believes Brown is in the box seat.

"Mike Brown is in pole position at fullback and he's been one of the key figures for England over the last few years and has brought stability to the back three. We have a lot of inexperience on the wings so having him at fullback has made a difference. You've got Ben Foden who's been injured so he has to get himself back fit and then there's Alex Goode who's a great player and a consistent performer for Saracens. There are some good fullbacks there."