England head coach Steve Borthwick has been handed more control over his elite players by a landmark new agreement between the powerbrokers of the men’s game.
As part of the eight-year deal, up to 25 England players will be given “enhanced contracts”, with Borthwick getting the “final say on all sports science and medical matters”.
The Rugby Football Union will pay the Premiership clubs £33m per season as the Professional Game Partnership aims “to create world-leading English teams and thriving professional leagues”.
“This will reshape the rugby landscape and reset the professional game,” said RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney.As part of the deal, each elite England player will be given a programme to help them peak for big international games.
While the new system stops short of a New Zealand or Irish-style centrally-contracted model, it nonetheless means Borthwick will have more control than any other England head coach before him.
While selection decisions for club rugby will stay with the club directors of rugby, Borthwick will have unprecedented influence over his key players’ fitness and conditioning.
Source: BBC
In other news – Priti Patel knocked out of Tory leadership contest
Former cabinet minister Priti Patel has been knocked out of the Conservative leadership contest in the first round of voting by Tory MPs. The former immigration minister Robert Jenrick topped the poll of MPs with 28 votes followed by Kemi Badenoch on 22 votes.
Third was James Cleverly with 21, fourth was Tom Tugendhat with 17, fifth was Mel Stride with 16 and last was Dame Priti on 14. Read more
