England players agree new rights deal

England’s top players have agreed a new four-year commercial deal that will incorporate the next World Cup.

The agreement - between Team England Rugby and the Rugby Football Union - confirms match fees, win bonuses and image rights for England players.

It has been brokered by the Professional Rugby Players’ Association, and represents a significant step forward in the early days of Martin Johnson’s reign as England manager.

The deal, which covers England’s elite playing squad, runs from July 1 this year until June 30, 2012, including the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Johnson said: “It is important that these off-the-field matters were resolved ahead of the 2008/2009 season, so everyone involved in the squad knows where they stand on commercial issues.

“Everyone has bought into and supports the agreement, and the squad are looking forward to preparing for the Investec Challenge series of matches in November.”

PRA chief executive Damian Hopley, who negotiated the deal on behalf of Team England, added: “I am delighted that we have successfully negotiated a new, long-term commercial agreement that will protect the players’ interests going forward for the next four years.

“The agreement is another positive move for English rugby.

“It confirms a secure commercial working relationship between the players and the RFU, and allows everyone involved with Team England to focus purely on playing performance going forward.”

England 2003 World Cup winner Ben Kay, a Team England executive committee member said negotiations with the RFU had proved “very positive.”

The Leicester lock said: “With the 2008/09 England squad meeting up for the first time this week, the players can sign up to the new deal confident that it will take us through to, and beyond, the next World Cup on a secure commercial footing.”

The squad is currently engaged in a week’s training camp ahead of a new season that will see England players released from their clubs for longer periods during international segments.

RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew added: “I would like to thank the PRA and the players for their input during some very constructive negotiations.

“The agreement reached reflects the spirit of the RFU/Premier Rugby Limited eight-year deal, which provides a long-term solution on a wide range of issues for the RFU, PRL and the PRA on and off the field.”

England’s first game under Johnson is at Twickenham on November 8 against the Pacific Islanders, followed on successive weekends by appointments with Tri-Nations heavyweights Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.