Rising England star Henry Pollock has capped off a dream breakthrough season with his first enhanced national contract.
The 20-year-old Northampton back-rower has only one Test cap to his name – a sensational cameo off the bench in March’s Six Nations clash against Wales, where he crossed for two tries in a 68-14 rout. That debut, coupled with standout late-season form for Northampton, earned him a place on the British & Irish Lions’ victorious tour to Australia, and now a significant pay rise.
Pollock joins a group of players who have taken up enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) deals, reportedly worth £150,000 (R3.6 million) each. Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Curry, Elliot Daly, Joe Heyes, Tom Roebuck, Will Stuart and Tom Willis are also among the new recipients.
However, there was no place on the 25-man list for former England captain Owen Farrell, who has returned to Saracens after a short stint with Racing 92 in France.
England and Lions captain Maro Itoje is retained, along with fellow Lions tourists Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith and Tom Curry.
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Introduced last year, these EPS contracts give England final say over a player’s medical management and replace per-match fees with a fixed annual salary.
“I am pleased to name the players who will receive an enhanced EPS contract this season,” said England coach Steve Borthwick.
“These contracts, together with our strong relationship with the Premiership clubs, will continue to play an important role in the ongoing development of England Rugby.”
© Agence France-Presse
