Danny Care has thrown his weight behind the proposed “hybrid” contracts if it ensures England’s best players do not move abroad. The Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby are believed to have reached an agreement in which 20 England players would be given a form of central contract, allowing Steve Borthwick considerably more control over his frontline squad members.
The agreement is to form part of the new Professional Game Agreement and is said to be worth £32m a year to the 10 Premiership clubs. Given the financial upheaval in the Premiership, making the move abroad has become an increasingly attractive proposition. Four members of England’s World Cup squad – Henry Arundell, Jack Willis, Joe Marchant and David Ribbans – have signed for clubs in France while Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola have also been linked with moves overseas.
