England Rugby Awards Enhanced Contracts to 17 Key Players

The new contracts, part of the Professional Game Partnership, give coach Steve Borthwick greater control over player management and preparation.

The Rugby Football Union has introduced enhanced Elite Player Squad contracts for 17 players, providing guaranteed annual payments instead of match fees.
The contracts are part of the Men's Professional Game Partnership, allowing the England coach to oversee sports science and medical decisions.
The agreements aim to improve England's performance by ensuring optimal preparation and collaboration between national and club teams.
Players like Jamie George, George Ford, and Maro Itoje are among those receiving the new contracts, which are worth approximately £160,000 annually.
The RFU will pay Premiership clubs £33 million per season as part of the partnership, with a focus on reducing player workloads and enhancing welfare.