Rugby Union players, more often associated with rolling around in the mud than in the hay, are set to become the stars of a new range of raunchy novels.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has signed a deal with the aptly named romance specialists Harlequin Mills and Boon, which will see the titles come out under the International Billionaire Series.

The first of eight limited edition novels to hit the bookshelves will be The Prince’s Waitress Wife, out on February 1, ahead of the start of the 2009 RBS Six Nations Championship, to be followed by a new book each month until September.

Partner of England rugby player James Haskel, Felicia Field, said: "Romance and rugby are a natural combination for me.

“Every match has a fantastic atmosphere and it's a great day out with the girls.”

Other titles in the series, which promise plenty of rucking from fictitious rugby stars include, The French Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress, The Italian Count's Defiant Bride and Blackmailed into the Greek Tycoon's Bed.

Licensing and marketing manager for the RFU, Jane Barron said: “Rugby has always been a game enjoyed by women, for obvious reasons.

“A partnership with Mills and Boon is a fantastic way to encourage more women and their families to get involved with the game.”

The series is set to features great rugby moments, “brooding alpha-male sporting heroes”.

AN EXTRACT OF THE BOOK

She was kissing him in the window, in full view of the cameras covering the game and the crowd.

Cameras that were now focused on them.

“Oh my God.”

Her hand covered her mouth. She glanced at him in desperate panic.

“They filmed me kissing you. And it’s up on the giant screens.”

Her voice rose, her cheeks were scarlet, and her reluctant glance towards the stadium ended in a moan of disbelief.

“Oh God, I can’t believe this, it looks as though I’m, and my hair is all over the place and my bottom looks huge, and, everyone is looking.”

His eyes on the pitch, Prince Casper watched with cool detachment as his friend, the England captain, hit a post with a drop-goal attempt.

“More importantly, you just cost England three points.”