Particle.news

Download on the App Store

RFU Confirms 25 Enhanced EPS Contracts, Pollock Included and Farrell Missing

They replace per-match fees with annual salaries under a £33 million club-country partnership to strengthen England’s player pipeline.

Overview

  • England head coach Steve Borthwick has filled the full complement of 25 enhanced EPS central agreements for the 2025-26 season after piloting 17 last year.
  • 20-year-old flanker Henry Pollock earned one of the newly confirmed contracts after a standout season for Northampton Saints, an England debut, and a British & Irish Lions tour call-up.
  • High-profile Saracens captain Owen Farrell was left out of the enhanced squad despite making himself England-eligible again following his return from Racing 92.
  • The enhanced agreements swap match fees for guaranteed annual salaries of around £150,000 as part of the RFU’s £33m-a-year club-country partnership with Premiership clubs.
  • A broader 50-man elite player pool remains in England contention while under standard club contracts, ensuring ongoing selection options beyond the centrally contracted group.