17 England players receive their first RFU hybrid contracts

Steve Borthwick has confirmed the names of the first 17 players who have been awarded hybrid central contracts just a week before they kick off their Autumn International Series against the All Blacks at Twickenham.

RugbyPass exclusively revealed earlier on Friday afternoon that Borthwick had finally ended months of uncertainty on Thursday evening, offering key members of his squad contracts that are worth up to £160,000 a year.

It was widely known that the Saracens duo Jamie George and Maro Itoje had been offered contracts when they turned down lucrative moves abroad to sign contract extensions last December.

They have been joined by team-mates Theo Dan and Ben Earl, while Premiership champions Northampton Saints also have four players offered deals: Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith.

Leicester Tigers stars Ollie Chessum and George Martin are included, as are Tom Curry and George Ford from Sale Sharks, while Exeter Chiefs aces Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Henry Slade get the nod.

The final three to make the initial 17 are Ellis Genge from Bristol Bears, Bath’s Ollie Lawrence and Harlequins star Marcus Smith get the deals which give the RFU a greater say over players’ individual preparation and workload.

England stars currently receive a match fee of around £20,000 a game but will now receive a lump sum introduced in a bid to top up dropping Premiership salaries as an incentive to stop top stars from moving abroad.

It is hoped that they will bridge the gap between what players can earn at home and abroad to make it less attractive to end their international career to chase a bigger payday elsewhere.

The RFU and Premiership Rugby reached an agreement on a new working arrangement in April, but it has taken another six months, much to the frustration of England's leading clubs.

Borthwick has given himself some wiggle room by keeping eight of the deals in his back pocket, which he will give out at a later date.

“I am delighted to be in a position to name the 17 players who are first to receive the enhanced EPS contracts. I am confident that these contracts, and our strong relationship with the Premiership clubs, will play a significant role in England Rugby’s continued development,” said Borthwick.

Conor O’Shea, the RFU’s Director of Performance Rugby, added: “ One of the aims of the new Men’s Professional Game Partnership is to create world-leading English teams.

“Enhanced EPS contracts will enable Steve and his coaching team to work in partnership with the players and their clubs on their individual development plans, medical, and strength and conditioning programmes to ensure optimum preparation for England Men’s fixtures.

“We believe this new collaborative approach between club, country and the players can bring greater stability to English rugby, as well as supporting the growth and performance of the England Men’s team.”