ENGLAND’S 15-A-SIDE WOMEN’s team and The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have agreed on a pay deal ahead of their upcoming November Tests.
For the first time, the Red Roses will be paid a match fee, while all players in the Elite Player Squad (EPS) will also receive a squad training fee.
Although the exact figures are confidential, the BBC understands that a player involved in all three matches against Canada will pocket between £4,000 and £5,000 in total.
The RFU announced last month that they would introduce training and match fees, but the agreement was not fully reached, or pay deal sealed until earlier this week.
Simon Middleton’s side, who were beaten by New Zealand in this summer’s Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) final, open their three-Test series with Canada on Friday.
The EPS had previously been paid on a full-time basis, but that short deal concluded with the World Cup.
This new deal however means that the women’s players will not be salaried employees of the RFU, but will be paid for their services on England duty this autumn, during the Six Nations and their summer tour.
Ireland meanwhile, will not be in action until the Six Nations under new coach Adam Griggs. The New Zealander last week signed a short-term contract which runs until the end of that tournament.
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