Five players get first England deals in Borthwick shake-up

England head coach Steve Borthwick has revamped his centrally contracted squad, just over a year before the Rugby World Cup. The 25 players handpicked by Borthwick will be granted enhanced contracts, valued at approximately £150,000 for the 2026-27 season. For the first time ever, players Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Alex Coles, Guy Pepper, Jack van Poortvliet, and Seb Atkinson will receive this elite status.

However, flanker Ben Curry, versatile back Elliot Daly, centre Ollie Lawrence, and wing Tom Roebuck are left without contracts. Additionally, France-bound number eight Tom Willis is no longer eligible for selection. Curry and Daly have both been sidelined by lengthy injuries over the past year, while Roebuck and Lawrence have fallen out of favor after previously being cornerstone players of the team.

Willis earned an enhanced contract last year after strengthening his position in the England side at the beginning of 2025, but he has not represented his country since moving to Bordeaux for the upcoming season. The enhanced contracts, introduced in 2024 as part of a new Professional Game Partnership between the Rugby Football Union and Premier clubs, provide Borthwick with complete control over medical and conditioning matters.

The 25 players receive a fixed sum from the RFU, in contrast to a game-by-game match fee, which is currently around £21,000 per game for non-centrally-contracted players. On top of their fixed annual payments, enhanced squad players also receive an extra £7,000 per game for image rights. Despite the system being praised for ensuring optimal preparation for the England Men's team, it has faced some challenges, such as the treatment of star wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's shoulder injury between late 2024 and early 2025.

Following a strong run in 2025, England suffered a disappointing Six Nations campaign, winning only one match, but rebounded to secure two victories in three Nations Championship games in July. England is set to face Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in the northern hemisphere leg of the inaugural tournament in November.