In a time when rugby union is grappling with significant financial challenges, the RFU has made a surprising decision to grant England players a substantial pay increase leading up to the upcoming 2023 World Cup.
It's been widely reported that England players will be the top base earners at the competition.f
Despite the unfortunate collapse of three Premiership clubs and the growing burden of debt, each player is now set to earn a staggering £100,000 solely for participating in the pool stage of the tournament in France later this year. That is according to The Rugby Paper.
Furthermore, if the team performs as expected and advances to the later stages, such as the semifinals, the players stand to earn even more substantial sums of money.
In stark contrast, their Welsh counterparts have been compelled to accept pay cuts of up to 70 percent.
While the Welsh players must make do with £23,000 per match, the chosen few representing England will receive that amount and more for each of their four pool games against Japan, Argentina, Samoa, and Chile.
This flat six-figure payment marks a considerable increase from the remuneration provided during the previous World Cup, emphasizing the extraordinary financial investment the RFU is making in the England team.
Mail Online predict the entire England 2023 Rugby World Cup squad
FULlBACK: Freddie Steward
Freddie Steward of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
WING: Henry Arundell, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Max Malins, Anthony Watson
Henry Arundell of London Irish during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Bath Rugby at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 1 October 2022 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
CENTRE: Elliot Daly, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi
A frustrated Ollie Lawrence of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
FLY-HALF: Owen Farrell, George Ford, Marcus Smith
Owen Farrell, Captain of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
SCRUM-HALF: Alex Mitchell, Jack van Poortvleit, Ben Youngs
Alex Mitchell of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Harlequins and Northampton Saints at Twickenham Stadium on 27 December 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
HOOKER: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jamie George, Jack Walker
Exeter Chiefs player Luke Cowan-Dickie during the warm up before Gallagher Premiership Match between Wasps and Exeter Chiefs at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry on October 16th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
LOOSEHEAD PROP: Ellis Genge, Bevan Rodd, Mako Vunipola
Ellis Genge of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
TIGHTHEAD PROP: Dan Cole, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart
Kyle Sinckler of England looks to offload during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
SECOND ROW: Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, David Ribbans
A frustrated Maro Itoje of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
FLANKER: Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam, Jack Willis
Jack Willis of England during the England Rugby Captains Run ahead of the Six Nations Match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium, London on 24 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
No 8: Alex Dombrandt, Sam Simmonds
Alex Dombrandt of England on the break during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
