In a significant move as England prepares for the Rugby World Cup, head coach Steve Borthwick has announced a shake-up of the centrally contracted squad. With just over a year remaining until the tournament, Borthwick has unveiled the 25 players who will benefit from enhanced contracts for the 2026-27 season, each valued at approximately £150,000.
Among the players receiving elite contracts for the first time are prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, lock Alex Coles, flanker Guy Pepper, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, and centre Seb Atkinson. This decision marks a pivotal moment in their careers, as they join the ranks of England’s elite players ahead of crucial international fixtures.
However, not all players have been fortunate in this latest round of contracts. Flanker Ben Curry, versatile back Elliot Daly, centre Ollie Lawrence, and wing Tom Roebuck have all missed out. The absence of Curry and Daly can be attributed to long-term injuries that have sidelined them for much of the past year. Meanwhile, Roebuck and Lawrence, who were once key components of the squad, have seen their positions weakened as they fell out of favor with the coaching staff.
Adding to the changes, number eight Tom Willis, who had previously secured an enhanced contract after establishing himself in the England setup in early 2025, is now ineligible for selection following his unexpected transfer to Bordeaux for the upcoming season.
The enhanced contracts were first introduced in 2024 as part of the Professional Game Partnership between the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Premiership clubs. This new system allows Borthwick to have the final say on medical and conditioning matters for the contracted players. Unlike non-centrally contracted players, who earn around £21,000 per match, those on enhanced contracts receive a fixed annual salary along with an additional £7,000 per game for image rights.
While the RFU asserts that these contracts are designed to ensure optimal preparation for the England Men’s team, the implementation of this system has not been without its challenges. A notable incident occurred in late 2024 and early 2025 when a dispute arose between Exeter and the England management regarding the treatment of star wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s shoulder injury.
After a successful run in 2025, where England demonstrated their prowess, the team faced a disappointing Six Nations campaign earlier this year, managing only one victory. However, they bounced back by winning two out of three matches in the Nations Championship in July. Looking ahead, Borthwick’s squad will host Australia, Japan, and New Zealand this November as part of the northern hemisphere leg of the inaugural tournament, providing an opportunity to further solidify their standing ahead of the World Cup.
In summary, the announcement of the new centrally contracted players reflects Borthwick's strategic approach to building a competitive squad in preparation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup. The inclusion of fresh talent alongside established players aims to rejuvenate the team and enhance their performance on the international stage.
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