Image rights bonanza for English stars

ENGLAND'S rugby stars are on the brink of signing a deal to enable them to cash in on last year's World Cup triumph.

The RFU believe they are close to finalising the agreement on image rights which will boost the earning power of international players.

Francis Baron, chief executive of the RFU, is now waiting for Damian Hopley, his opposite number at the Professional Rugby Players Association, to consult members of the England squad's committee and he is expecting a positive response: "We want it to be a deal going through to the next World Cup in 2007. It's important for us and the players.

We want to put everything in place to make sure that the Union and the squad concentrate entirely on rugby matters with the object of trying to retain the World Cup and not on any other side issues."

Image rights have never been an issue in the past but rugby's rising profile in the aftermath of the World Cup triumph have seen them increase significantly as demands on the players increase.

The payments will be graded so that high-profile players like World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson and current England captain Lawrence Dallaglio receive more than international newcomers.

Baron revealed that the players will be split into three bands, depending on their number of international appearances, and will be rewarded accordingly.