After thorough and protracted deliberations, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby have come to a consensus regarding the implementation of hybrid contracts, which will undoubtedly provide a substantial boost to Saracens players Jamie George and Maro Itoje.
The eagerly awaited landmark hybrid contracts, which are valued at up to £160,000 per annum, are now poised to be initiated promptly in the upcoming season. The delay in finalizing the contracts stemmed from extensive negotiations between the RFU and Premiership Rugby to establish the new Professional Game Partnership (PGP), which governs the overall relationship between the union and the league.
The newly forged preliminary agreement now sets the stage for George and Itoje to pioneer England’s new era of heightened RFU oversight over their players. The RFU aims to institute up to 25 hybrid deals, also referred to as enhanced elite player squad contracts, as part of their strategy to exercise more control and influence over the players’ contracts going forward.
The responsibility for awarding these contracts will rest with head coach Steve Borthwick as existing player deals reach their conclusion. The adoption of the new system will naturally be staggered as these deals are gradually integrated into the player roster.
The PGP encompasses all aspects of the relationship between the RFU and Premiership Rugby and represents a durable agreement that could span up to eight years. The commencement of the new agreement is scheduled for this summer, once the current deal expires, signifying a new phase in the collaboration between the two entities.
With the RFU and Premiership Rugby reaching an understanding on the terms, the stage is now set for final discussions on the new hybrid contracts. This significant progress will bring relief to Saracens’ director of rugby, Mark McCall, who recently voiced concerns about the lack of progress regarding the RFU top-ups for George and Itoje.
Although Saracens have already concluded new terms for George and Itoje for the upcoming season, the implementation of these contracts hinges on the availability of additional RFU deals. Despite the delay in receiving the necessary paperwork from the RFU, it is anticipated that George and Itoje will receive these documents in due course.
A noteworthy development in these negotiations is the establishment of Team England Rugby Ltd, an entity representing the senior players, which will be responsible for facilitating these contracts, effectively shifting this responsibility away from the players union, the Rugby Players Association (RPA).
Once the RFU is able to furnish the individual contract documents, the final discussions are anticipated to conclude with ease. This recent breakthrough signifies a positive stride in the collaboration between the RFU and Premiership Rugby and marks a notable milestone in the introduction of hybrid contracts for the players.