England secure crucial double hybrid contract boost after failing with Henry Arundell – report

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have reportedly secured the signatures of two key players after failing to lure Henry Arundell back to the Premiership, with Maro Itoje and Jamie George penning new deals.

The new hybrid contracts are part of the new Professional Game Partnership between the RFU and the Premiership clubs, guaranteeing a sum of £150,000 a year to around England’s top 25 players.

Saracens stars set to stay

According to reports by the Times and Telegraph, Itoje is the first player to sign a hybrid contract, and George has followed suit.

Arundell was the RFU’s first target, with the talented young outside back currently plying his trade in the Top 14 with Racing 92.

The 21-year-old rejected offers from Bath, aided by the hybrid contract, to extend his stay with the Parisian, signing a new deal with the French club until 2026. He is now ineligible to represent England under their current eligibility laws.

The Telegraph reports that the RFU has offered both Itoje and George lump sum payments of around £160,000 per season to bolster their club contracts.

The Saracens pair were both targets of French and Japanese clubs, with Itoje reportedly on Lyon’s radar after previous links to Racing 92.

With the Premiership’s salary cap reducing the number of marquee players from two to just one next season, Saracens were in danger of losing Itoje’s services with club captain Owen Farrell reportedly offered an extension that will see him fill the marquee role, which is excluded from the salary cap.

The re-signings for Itoje and George are a major boost for England head coach Steve Borthwick, with the pair penning two-year deals. The guaranteed payment they will receive will replace the previous system of match fees of around £20,000, which players received when included in matchday 23-man squads for Test matches.

Premiership exodus

Meanwhile, fellow England international Lewis Ludlam is set to join Top 14 outfit Toulon next season, where he will join ex-Northampton Saints teammate David Ribbans.

Reports have also linked Kyle Sinckler with a move across the Channel, and there are hopes that the RFU’s invention will convince many of England’s top talents to remain.

This after England internationals Joe Marchant (Stade Francais) and Jack Willis (Toulouse) secured permanent moves to France after the World Cup, with Jack Nowell (La Rochelle) and Sam Simmonds (Montpellier) departing before the tournament.

READ MORE: The finest, funniest and most memorable rugby quotes of 2023