£200m club deal aims to put England on top

England’s aim of supplanting New Zealand as world champions in 2019 has moved a step closer after a new agreement was finalised between the Aviva Premiership clubs and Twickenham.

The Rugby Football Union believes the eight-year deal, which is worth in excess of £200m (€239m), has offered head coach Eddie Jones the best possible chance of masterminding success at the next World Cup.

The ‘Professional Game Agreement’ finalised with Premiership Rugby Limited will see the size of the England Elite Player Squad increase from 33 to 45 with up to 36 players able to be selected for training camps.