England women’s rugby players to earn up to £100,000 under new deal
14 reported
The Red Roses' top stars could earn £100,000 in 2029 if they retain the Women's Rugby World Cup in Australia, according to a new four-year pay agreement with the Rugby Football Union. The players have negotiated a 25% increase on their previous terms, which expire at the end of June. The new deal comes after England won the World Cup in front of a sell-out 81,885 crowd in September, alongside eight successive Six Nations titles and a run of 38 consecutive Test victories. Despite the raise, the players still earn less than their footballing and cricketing counterparts. The RFU has committed to a formal review after two years to adjust figures if commercial performance exceeds expectations. Contracts will be sorted into three bands, with a guaranteed minimum of 32 contracted players, and the announcement of which players have secured deals is expected within the next fortnight.
What’s reported
Top Red Roses stars could earn £100,000 in 2029 if they successfully defend the Women's Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The new four-year pay agreement with the RFU represents a 25% increase on previous terms expiring at the end of June.
England won the World Cup in September in front of a sell-out 81,885 crowd.
England have won eight successive Six Nations titles and are on a run of 38 successive Test victories.
The players still earn less than their footballing and cricketing counterparts.
Deals for England's women's cricketers reportedly vary between £90,000 and £130,000 a year.
The Lionesses reached an agreement on bonuses with the FA in 2023 after a public dispute.
Players picked up a £20,000 bonus each for winning the World Cup in September, with top stars on a basic of about £50,000 a year at the time.
The RFU has ploughed £24m into Premiership Women's Rugby over the past decade.
The RFU has committed to a formal review after two years to ensure figures rise if commercial performance materially exceeds expectations.
Contracts will be sorted into three bands, with the most senior players earning most; lengths vary from one to three years.
A guaranteed minimum of 32 contracted Red Roses, with announcement of which players have secured a deal to be made in the next fortnight.
Transitional contracts will continue for emerging prospects.
The agreement is the first Red Roses deal struck by Team England Rugby, with previous negotiations carried out by the Rugby Players Association.
Key figures
Meg Jones, Red Roses captain
Sources: BBC News
