England boss Steve Borthwick has shaken up his centrally contracted squad with just over a year to go until the Rugby World Cup. He announced 25 players who will receive enhanced player contracts, worth around £150,000, for the 2026-27 season. Handed an elite deal for the first time are prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, lock Alex Coles, flanker Guy Pepper, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and centre Seb Atkinson.

Flanker Ben Curry, versatile back Elliot Daly, centre Ollie Lawrence and wing Tom Roebuck all miss out on contracts, while France-bound number eight Tom Willis is no longer eligible for England selection. The enhanced contracts, introduced in 2024 as part of the Professional Game Partnership, give Borthwick the final say over medical and conditioning matters.

After a long winning run in 2025, England flopped in the Six Nations earlier this year, winning just one match, but recovered to win two out of three Nations Championship games in July. Borthwick's side host Australia, Japan and New Zealand this November.