England: Predicting the 25 players who will be offered new hybrid contracts: Planet Rugby

Following the announcement of the new men’s professional playing partnership, England’s Elite Performance Squad (EPS) will now consist of 25 players on hybrid contracts.

The new contracts will mean the RFU will contribute directly to players’ wages, but Steve Borthwick will now have more control over them.

However, with so many players up for a contract, who will be the lucky few to get one? Well, with that in mind, here are our predictions for what the improved EPS team could look like this year.

Accessories

Fin Baxter: He is a natural fit to get one after his strong performances against the All Blacks. He looked incredibly comfortable in the Tests and, if all goes well, he should be a regular in the England squad going forward.

Ellis Genge: He only missed the Japan and New Zealand tours due to injury, but he is a brilliant player and should be back in the Test picture straight away. It is important to note that he is a key leader in the England team, and giving him a hybrid contract will allow him to play a significant role ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour: It’s a BOLD It’s a prediction, but hear us out. With Steve Borthwick having greater access to players, it gives him the opportunity to influence what happens at their respective clubs. While that doesn’t seem to extend to what position they play, it may give him some influence. England believe he’s a left-sided prop, but Sale says right-sided prop is his future and, to be fair, we tend to agree with the Sharks, especially with their issues on that side of the scrum and the end of Dan Cole’s career. However, Borthwick may want to clarify that going forward and offering a contract to the excellent prop, whose Test debut is surely not far off, is a chance to get that clarity.

Will Stuart: He has yet to fully find his feet in testing, but will likely be offered a hybrid contract.

Prostitutes

Jamie George: The England captain will almost certainly be offered a hybrid contract. George has been England’s number one hooker for a number of years now, and his experience and leadership are vital to the team.

Theo Dan: The next player to drop off the list, Theo Dan, is certainly the future England hooker. He is an explosive player, and he is the epitome of what a modern front-row player is.

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Locks

Maro Itoje: That should be a given. Itoje is gradually rediscovering his best form at Test level, but he once again brings a wealth of experience to the team and is also a key leader. He will play a huge role in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup.

Georges Martin: He has emerged as one of England’s best players over the past year and is likely to be a major part of the team again for some time.

Ollie Chessum: He has struggled with injuries in recent seasons but is a leading player on the park and continues to develop at the highest level.

Alex Coles: A bit of an odd choice, but Coles gives a good account of himself every time he plays for England. He has been in and out of the team, so giving him a hybrid deal will ensure he remains a regular part of the squad.

Back row

Ben Earl: He has truly made the England number eight shirt his own over the past year, and you would think he is one of the first players in line for a hybrid deal.

Chandler Cunningham-South: He has become a very good player this season. He continues to develop and progress in his own game, but there is no doubt he is a special talent, so offering him a hybrid contract would allow him to remain in and around the England squad and continue his upward trajectory.

Sam Underhill: He has never had a bad game for England and fully deserves a hybrid contract. He could also play a leadership role in the run-up to the 2027 World Cup.

Tom Curry: The Sale Sharks flanker is another player who has excelled since joining the England squad, and given his recent injury problems in England, having more control over medical issues could prolong his career.

Scrum half

Alex Mitchell: England currently have a wealth of talent at scrum-half, but Alex Mitchell is well above the rest in the pecking order and will almost certainly be offered a hybrid contract.

Half-opening

Marcus Smith: He is likely to be the starting 10 in the near future after his solid performances against New Zealand, and with interest growing overseas it would be a smart move to tie him down to keep him in the England game.

Fin Smith: The Northampton ace took a big step forward in his game last season and should be rewarded for it. He is also still finding his feet at Test level, but he is certainly a future number 10 so it makes sense to make him a fixture in the team.

George Ford: He has been a true servant to England throughout his Test career and will act as another key leader within the team if he is offered a place in the EPS. Ford is also a quality fly-half in his own right and will be more than competitive for a place in the starting team.

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Centers

Ollie Lawrence: Bath full-back Lawrence has established himself as the main starting centre and a hybrid deal is certainly on its way to him.

Henry Slade: Hybrid contracts are certainly intended to keep players like Slade in English football. The Exeter full-back has attracted interest from abroad, so securing his signature would allow him to retain his place in the England squad for the time being.

Fraser Dingwall: It’s potentially an out-of-the-ordinary choice here – given Slade and Lawrence are the preferred options – but Dingwall is a really solid player and will likely be a consistent part of the England squad going forward.

Back three

Georges Furbank: He reached another milestone in the Test series against the All Blacks and, if those numbers are anything to go by, he could be a crucial member of England’s squad as they prepare for the 2027 World Cup. He also brings decent leadership experience to the team despite his age, which is always important at Test level.

Emmanuel Feyi-Waboso: This man is an exceptional talent and, if all goes well, he will be an integral part of the team for a long time. He is also at the perfect age to continue to develop, and doing so under the tutelage of the English coaches will only speed things up.

Tommy Freeman: He has really stepped up in his second spell in England and should be a key member of the team. Like Feyi-Waboso, he is also of a decent age where he will continue to develop within this team with a view to the next World Cup.

Freddie Steward: He may have lost the starting jersey to Furbank but there is no doubting his quality and he will still be part of the extended squad for some time to come.

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