RFU & Rpa Confirm New Elite Player Deal
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) have agreed a new four year Elite Player Squad (EPS) deal from 2016 to 2020, which will see international players earn in excess of £20,000 per Test match, excluding bonuses.
The new four-year, £20m deal was welcomed by RFU chief Ian Ritchie, who commented: “These are exciting times for English Rugby, and the deal offers a significant uplift from the previous deal. We would like to thank the RPA for their positive and constructive contribution to the new deal.”
The latest deal follows record figures posted by the RFU last year, with profit rising to over £100m after England hosted last year’s Rugby World Cup.
England exited the World Cup in the group stage but have since gone on to win ten games in a row under new coach Eddie Jones, including a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2003.
The new-look England side then went on to complete a 3-0 series win in Australia and defeated South Africa for the first time since 2006 this weekend.
The new deal, which was negotiated by the Rugby Players Association, will cover training fees, image rights payments and squad performance bonuses.
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