England players "are poised to share in a financial jackpot" of over £20M ($24.9M) in a lucrative new four-year deal that "strengthens their position as the highest paid squad in world rugby," according to Gavin Mairs of the London TELEGRAPH. The "new deal has been drawn up in the wake of last year’s World Cup, which the Rugby Football Union hosted to record profits." The agreement will be announced before England’s game against South Africa at Twickenham on Nov. 12 and increase player payments by around 30%, "taking their combined total for this season alone" to more than £5.5M ($6.9M). That is a total increase of £1.2M ($1.5M) from last year’s deal. Struck with the Rugby Players’ Association following discussions with the players, "the new deal increases match fees for each player" from £17,000 ($21,200) to around £22,000 ($27,400), including image rights and training fees "but excluding bonus for winning tournaments or rises in the team’s World Rugby rankings." Even "without win bonuses," a player who is a member of every matchday 23 for this season’s 11 Test matches, including the end-of-season tour to Argentina in June, is expected to earn a minimum of £242,000 ($301,500), up from £187,000 ($233,000) under the terms of the deal for last season. It is understood "there was some frustration that the deal has taken so long to complete as those involved overcame hurdles relating to commitments to individual sponsors." Specific details of the bonuses, "which include extra payments for winning the Six Nations or the Grand Slam, have yet to emerge but are expected to rise significantly" (TELEGRAPH, 11/2).
