The RFU has confirmed that England’s top players can expect cuts to their match fees as a result of the coronavirus.
The England players’ current deal expires in their summer (July/August) and talks over new contracts are ongoing.
But RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney, who has seen his salary and that of his senior colleagues including England coach Eddie Jones temporarily reduced by 25 percent as a result of the pandemic, warned the players might have to feel some pain when it came to their current £23 000 match fees.
The RFU have previously warned a total wipeout of international rugby in Europe for the remainder of this year would cost them £122 million ($154 million) in lost revenue.
“We are all facing really challenging situations,” Sweeney told reporters during a conference call on Thursday.
“Clearly we need to cut costs but we’re also looking at ways where we can share risk.
“We’re in the middle of that conversation and that’s an ongoing process.”
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LIST | 5 players from abroad who could be capped by England in the future
These five have shown enough ability or promise to suggest they may be future England stars in waiting.
Foreign-born stars, such as Nathan Hughes and the Vunipola brothers, have already shown how integral they can be for the Red Rose after making the step up to International rugby.
Here are five players who could pull on the white jersey in the future:
1. Ruan Ackermann – Gloucester (South Africa)
His Dad Johan Ackermann, who departed as Gloucester boss for Japan earlier this month, confirmed that his son will be staying with the Cherry & Whites to persue international honours, and has already been in contact with Eddie Jones. The imposing number eight qualify for England on residency grounds in August 2020 — just four months before World Rugby’s new eligibility laws kick in.