Hybrid English contracts set to give Steve Borthwick more selection power at clubs

Steve Borthwick is to have the final say on all medical and sport science matters affecting England players given 'hybrid contracts'.

An eight-year Professional Game Partnership has been announced by the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and Rugby Players’ Association that enshrines how the elite game will be run over the next eight years.

The RFU will pay the ten Premiership clubs €39m per season for the first four-year cycle, with a profit share dictating the funding for the second four-year cycle.

As part of the arrangement, England head coach Borthwick will have the freedom to select up to 25 players who will be paid as much as €190,000 annually in return for greater control of how they are managed on club duty.

This includes deciding on medical issues such as when a player undergoes surgery, potentially affecting his availability for club matches and thereby leading to possible flashpoints with directors of rugby.

The RFU insists the new system will "ensure optimum preparation for key international fixtures".

"The England national team benefits by having control over the individual development programmes, medical and S&C of the best players in England at the peak of their form and in the best shape to play for their country," RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said.

"This eight-year commitment will reshape the rugby landscape and reset the professional game to support, showcase and fund our game for the next decade and beyond.

"Despite the RFU having £150m [€178m] revenue losses through Covid and a £30m [€35.6m] increase in operating costs over the last four years due to inflation, we are in a stable financial position.

"Today we have reached a significant milestone in turning our spend into the professional game into a