Amidst Growing Concerns, RFU’s Hybrid Contract Scheme Remains in Limbo
England’s rugby union players and their clubs are increasingly concerned by the delays and uncertainties surrounding the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) much-anticipated hybrid contract scheme. As the union is supposed to be rolling out new ‘enhanced EPS’ deals this summer as part of a wider Professional Game Partnership with the clubs, the lack of visible progress is causing alarm within the domestic game and among members of the Red Rose squad.
To date, only England captain Jamie George and Saracens team-mate Maro Itoje have signed up for the hybrid deals, and it is understood that the agreement letter merely outlines the financial terms if the scheme goes ahead. In theory, national coach Steve Borthwick should be able to nominate up to 25 players who will come under greater England management control in return for a fixed sum of £150,000 to top up their club salary. However, sources have indicated that other recent Test starters have not received any clarity from the RFU about the hybrid scheme during their contract negotiations with clubs.
“It’s not working – absolutely nothing has happened,” and another simply stating, “They don’t exist.”
With no official updates forthcoming from Twickenham as the PGP negotiations drag on, suspicions have grown in some quarters about the RFU’s true objectives. There is a nagging sense that only those players threatening to leave the country are being prioritized, as both George and Itoje were wanted by clubs in France, and Henry Arundell was also offered a hybrid deal before agreeing to extend his stay at Racing 92 in Paris.
Frustration has led to speculation that the RFU may lack the necessary funds to roll out the scheme as intended or that it will simply become a tool to stem the cross-Channel exodus, rather than an all-encompassing means of having greater control over a significant number of squad players. Various sources have expressed their concerns, with one saying, “It’s not working – absolutely nothing has happened,” and another simply stating, “They don’t exist.”
The official line from the RFU, however, is that the direction of travel on this key issue is positive. Chief executive Bill Sweeney has stated that the union is “in good shape” and that they will be in a position to move forward with the PGP “pretty soon.” Borthwick, the England coach, has also acknowledged that the details of the enhanced EPS and Professional Game Partnership have not yet been confirmed, as he awaits more information to understand the implications.
As the current contract expires by the end of June, the rugby union community will be closely watching to see if the RFU can resolve the uncertainties and deliver on its promises regarding the hybrid contract scheme. The success or failure of this initiative could have significant implications for the national team’s preparations and the broader professional game in England.
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