England Introduces Central Contracts for Five Players Ahead of Rugby World Cup

England's head coach Steve Borthwick has made significant changes to the centrally contracted squad, announcing new contracts for five players as the Rugby World Cup approaches.

The players receiving their first central contracts include prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, lock Alex Coles, flanker Guy Pepper, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, and centre Seb Atkinson. Each contract is valued at approximately £150,000 for the 2026-27 season.

Notably, flanker Ben Curry, back Elliot Daly, centre Ollie Lawrence, and wing Tom Roebuck have been excluded from the contracts due to injuries and a decline in form. Additionally, Tom Willis, who has moved to Bordeaux, is no longer eligible for selection. The enhanced contracts, introduced in 2024, aim to provide better preparation for the England Men's team, although they have faced challenges, such as disputes over player injuries.