(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Henry Pollock Among 25 Players Awarded Enhanced Elite Player Squad Contracts for 2025/26 Season
England Rugby has announced the latest batch of 25 players to receive Enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts for the 2025/26 season, including rising star Henry Pollock. The Northampton Saints flanker, who earned his first England cap earlier this year and toured with the Lions, has been rewarded with one of these special contracts that guarantee an annual salary instead of match fees.
Joining Pollock are notable names such as flanker Ben Curry, who joins his brother Tom in the elite group, and Tom Willis, receiving an enhanced contract for the first time.
Other players who missed out on contracts in the initial round last October but have now been included are Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Elliot Daly, Joe Heyes, Tom Roebuck, and Will Stuart.
Among the original 17 players awarded last year, Saracens hooker Theo Dan is the only one not retained this time. Bath centre Ollie Lawrence maintains his enhanced contract despite currently rehabbing a serious Achilles injury.
The clubs with the highest number of players on the list are Sale Sharks, Saracens, and Northampton Saints, each with five representatives.
England head coach Steve Borthwick praised the move:
“I am pleased to name the players who will receive an enhanced EPS contract this season. These contracts, alongside our strong collaboration with Premiership clubs, continue to play a vital role in the development of England Rugby.”
These enhanced contracts are part of the Men’s Professional Game Partnership, aimed at ensuring the best preparation for the England team. The 25 players awarded contracts are selected from a wider 50-player EPS squad.
England Men’s Enhanced EPS Contract Holders 2025/26:
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Fin Baxter (Harlequins)
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Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
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Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks)
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Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
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Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
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Elliot Daly (Saracens)
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Ben Earl (Saracens)
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Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)
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George Ford (Sale Sharks)
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Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
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George Furbank (Northampton Saints)
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Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
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Jamie George (Saracens)
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Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
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Maro Itoje (Saracens)
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Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
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George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
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Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
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Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
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Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
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Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
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Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
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Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
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Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
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Tom Willis (Saracens)
This announcement highlights England Rugby’s commitment to nurturing top talent as they prepare for future international challenges.
