England has revealed the first 17 players to receive the new “enhanced EPS” contracts, which will give head coach Steve Borthwick greater control over a core group of key players. These contracts are part of the Professional Game Partnership (PGP) between the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby, allowing Borthwick to allocate up to 25 of these new deals.
Among the 17 recipients are fly halves like George Ford, Marcus Smith, and Fin Smith, as well as promising young talents such as Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Senior leaders like captain Jamie George, Maro Itoje, and Henry Slade have also secured these contracts after renewing their club deals last season.
Interestingly, there is no enhanced EPS contract for Sam Underhill, despite his consistent presence in every Test for Borthwick’s team in 2024. Furthermore, only one prop, Ellis Genge, has been contracted, hinting at potential uncertainties in the front row.
Borthwick expressed his satisfaction in naming the initial 17 players who will benefit from these enhanced contracts, emphasising their importance in England Rugby’s ongoing development. The length of the contracts varies, and the details have not been disclosed yet. Earlier this year, a group of senior players established Team England Rugby (TER), a player-led organisation that negotiated the new Elite Playing Squad (EPS) agreement governing all aspects of playing for the national team.
This initiative aims to enable England to kickstart campaigns more effectively, with a focus on avoiding issues like players reporting injuries unknown to the medical staff. Ford’s contract is particularly noteworthy, as he is set to become a free agent from Sale at the end of the season.
The enhanced contracts granted to the 17 players give Borthwick final authority on sports science and medical matters, supplementing the broader 50-man EPS roster, the specifics of which remain undisclosed. This move underlines England’s commitment to improving their squad dynamics and performance.
In conclusion, England’s unveiling of the first 17 recipients of the enhanced EPS contracts marks a significant step towards enhancing the national team’s structure and player management under Steve Borthwick’s leadership. With a keen focus on player welfare and performance optimization, these contracts showcase England Rugby’s dedication to staying competitive on the international stage.