England stars hit £20million jackpot with a bumper pay rise over the next four years
RFU deal will see Eddie Jones’ squad pocket £5.5m between them — plus bonuses and training fees
ENGLAND stars have hit a £20million jackpot with a bumper pay rise over the next four years.
The RFU deal will see Eddie Jones’ squad pocket £5.5m between them — plus bonuses and training fees — over this season’s 11 Tests and beyond.
Jones and his players are currently in Portugal preparing for their first Test of the season against South Africa on Saturday week.
The fee for each game goes up £5,000 to £22,000, more than DOUBLE what Wales or Ireland pay.
RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said: “We respect what the players bring to the party.”
Twickenham’s coffers are stuffed full of cash after making more than £100m from the 2015 World Cup.
But fans away from London will still not get a chance to see the Red Rose play for fear of upsetting Twickers’ 15,000 debenture holders.
New RFU chairman Andy Coslett admitted: “The whole country loves the game but the union has obligations.
“The record investment we’ve been able to put into the game is because we’ve got financial stability — and Twickenham games with 82,000 people are a big contributor to that.”
South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth is refusing to rule out staying to play in the Premiership after the Springboks tour.
The 6ft 8in lock, 25, who faces England next week, has also been offered £40,000 a game by strugglers Bristol.
He said: “After the tour, nothing is certain.”