The Red Roses are poised for a major windfall if they successfully defend their Women's Rugby World Cup title in Australia next year – and it could be worth every penny. Under a landmark new deal with the RFU, the squad's top stars will pocket a £100k bonus each, taking their earnings to unprecedented heights. It's a 25% hike on the previous contract terms, and one that finally starts to bring Red Roses players on par with some of their counterparts in other female English sports.
Those past achievements are etched into history – 38 consecutive Test victories, eight successive Six Nations titles, and that glorious World Cup triumph last September in front of an electrifying crowd of over 81,000. But the real story here is what this deal says about the RFU's commitment to the women's game. They've ploughed a whopping £24 million into Premiership Women's Rugby since 2013 – it's a serious investment, and one that should yield serious returns.
Of course, there's still some way to go before Red Roses players reach the same level as their counterparts in other sports. England women's cricketers are reportedly on between £90k and £130k per year, while the Lionesses' bonus agreement with the FA last year was a major coup for women's football. But this new deal is a significant step forward – and one that will be closely watched by fans of the sport.
The RFU has structured the deals into three bands, with the most senior players getting the biggest pay packets. Some will get one-year contracts, while others will sign up for central deals lasting up to three years. A guaranteed minimum of 32 Red Roses players will be contracted – although the final list is still a fortnight away from being confirmed. And with provisions in place for transitional contracts to support emerging talent, this deal looks like it's got everything covered.
But here's the thing: the RFU has committed to reviewing these new deals after two years, so if the women's game exceeds expectations – and who doubts they will? – player figures could increase even further. Red Roses captain Meg Jones was clear about what this deal means for her team: "It's a critical moment for us, and for the game in England." And she's spot on – this is a major investment in the women's game, one that should yield dividends on and off the pitch.