England: Predicting the 25 players who will be offered new enhanced EPS contracts, including bold prop call
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Maro Itoje are included in our 25-man EPS squad
Following the announcement of the new Men’s Professional Game Partnership, the England Elite Performance Squad (EPS) will now be enhanced to 25 players on hybrid contracts.
These new contracts will mean the RFU directly contribute towards the players salaries, but Steve Borthwick will now have more control over them.
However, with so many players vying for a deal, who will be the lucky few to get one? Well, with that thought in mind, here are our predictions for what the enhanced EPS squad could look like this year
Props
Fin Baxter: A shoe-in to get one after his solid showings against the All Blacks. Looked incredibly comfortable at Test level, and all being well, should be a regular in the England squad moving forward.
Ellis Genge: Only missed out on the Japan and New Zealand tour through injury, but he is a brilliant player and will likely come straight back into the Test picture. Importantly, he is a key leader within the England squad, and giving him a hybrid contract will ensure he is a big part of things ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Asher Opoku-Fordjour: It’s a BOLD prediction, this, but hear us out. With Steve Borthwick having greater access to the players, this gives him an opportunity to influence what goes on with their respective clubs. Although it doesn’t appear to extend to what position they play in, it may give him a certain amount of sway. England believe he is a loosehead but Sale say tighthead is his future and, to be honest, we tend to agree with the Sharks, especially with their issues on that side of the scrum and Dan Cole’s career coming to an end. However, Borthwick may want to nail that down going forward and handing a deal to the outstanding prop prospect, whose Test debut is surely not far away, is a chance to get that clarity.
Will Stuart: Is still yet to fully find his feet at Test level, but will likely be offered a hybrid contract.
Hookers
Jamie George: The England skipper will almost certainly be offered a hybrid contract. George has been England’s first-choice hooker for a number of years now, and his experience and leadership are so vital to the squad.
Theo Dan: The next cab off the rank, Theo Dan is certainly the future England hooker. He is such an explosive player, and is the epitome of what a modern-day front-rower is.
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Locks
Maro Itoje: Should be a forgone conclusion. Itoje is steadily finding his best form at Test level again, but again he brings a wealth of experience to the squad and he is a key leader too. Will play a huge role in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup.
George Martin: Has emerged as one of England’s best players in the past year, and again will likely be a major part of the squad for some time.
Ollie Chessum: Has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, but is a top operator around the park and is still developing at the highest level.
Alex Coles: A slightly left-field choice, but Coles gives a good account of himself whenever he plays for England. He has been in and out of the squad, so giving him a hybrid deal will keep him a consistent part of the group.
Back-row
Ben Earl: Has really made the England number eight jersey his own in the past year, and you would think he is one of the first players on the list for a hybrid contract.
Chandler Cunningham-South: Really grew into a fine player this season. He is still developing and growing into his own game, but there’s no doubting he is a special talent, so giving him a hybrid deal would ensure he stays in and around the England team and keeps on his upwards trajectory.
Sam Underhill: Never had a poor game for England, and fully deserves a hybrid contract. Will potentially take more of a leadership role heading into the 2027 World Cup too.
Tom Curry: The Sale Sharks flanker is another one who has excelled since taking the step up to the England squad, and given his recent injury woes England, having more control over medical issues could extend his career.
Scrum-half
Alex Mitchell: England have a wealth of talent at scrum-half at the moment, but Alex Mitchell is head-and-shoulders above the rest in the pecking order, and will almost certainly be offered a hybrid deal.
Fly-half
Marcus Smith: Is likely to be the starting 10 for the foreseeable future after his solid showings against New Zealand, and with interest growing overseas, it would be a smart move to tie him down to keep him in the English game.
Fin Smith: The Northampton ace took a huge step forward in his game last season and should be rewarded for it. He is also still finding his feet at Test level, but is certainly the future number 10 so it makes sense to make him a staple in the squad.
George Ford: Has been a real servant to England across his Test career and will act as another key leader within the squad if offered a spot in the EPS. Ford is also a quality fly-half in his own right and will more than compete for a spot in the starting side.
Centres
Ollie Lawrence: Bath back Lawrence has established himself as the principle starting centre and a hybrid contract is certainly coming his way.
Henry Slade: The hybrid contracts are certainly aimed at keeping players like Slade in the English game. The Exeter back has attracted interest from overseas, so securing his signature would maintain his spot in the England side for the foreseeable.
Fraser Dingwall: Potentially a left-field shout 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 moving forward.
Back three
George Furbank: Took yet another step forward during the Test series against the All Blacks and, if that’s anything to go by, he could be a crucial member of the England side in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup. He also brings some decent leadership experience to the squad despite his age, which is always important at Test level.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: This man is an outstanding talent and all being well will be an integral member of the squad for a long time. He is at the right age too where he will continue to develop, and doing so under the tutelage of the England coaches will only accelerate things.
Tommy Freeman: Has really improved in his second England spell and should be a core member of the squad. Like Feyi-Waboso, he is also of a decent age where he will continue to develop within this squad building towards the next World Cup.
Freddie Steward: Might have lost the starting 15 shirt to Furbank, but there’s no doubting his quality and will still be a part of the wider squad for some time.
