Five players get first England deals in Borthwick shake-up
Summary
England rugby coach Steve Borthwick has named 25 players to receive special contracts worth about £150,000 each for the 2026-27 season. Five players are getting these elite contracts for the first time, while some regulars have missed out or become ineligible after recent changes.Key Facts
- England rugby has announced 25 players with enhanced contracts for the 2026-27 season.
- The contracts pay about £150,000 annually and include extra fees per game.
- Five players—Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Alex Coles, Guy Pepper, Jack van Poortvliet, and Seb Atkinson—are new to receiving these deals.
- Some established players like Ben Curry, Elliot Daly, Ollie Lawrence, and Tom Roebuck are not receiving contracts this time.
- Tom Willis is no longer eligible after moving to a French club, Bordeaux.
- Enhanced contracts started in 2024 to help improve player preparation and allow the coach control over medical care.
- The contracts pay players a fixed amount instead of only per-match fees, plus extra for image rights.
- England had a tough Six Nations in 2026 but performed better in the July Nations Championship and will face Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in an upcoming tournament.
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