Henry Pollock confirms shock move weeks after 2026 Six Nations

Announcing via Instagram, Hearn said: "THE ONE! Welcome to the Team 21 year old England and Lions talent Henry Pollock - I watched this young man and thought SUPERSTAR! Then I met him, understood the passion, vision and desire and had to be a part of this journey. Sometimes someone special comes along that has all the ingredients to change the sport. Rugby here we come."

Chairman of Matchroom Sport and the Professional Darts Corporation, Hearn has promoted many boxers through Matchroom, including world champions such as Anthony Joshua and Canelo Álvarez.

Matchroom Talent Agency will "nurture athletes' careers by managing their brand and building their reputations".

Pollock has quickly emerged as one of rugby’s most exciting young talents, widely viewed as a future star thanks to both his performances and his bold, eccentric personality.

In 2025, he made a major impact at club level: scoring his first Premiership try with a chip-and-chase effort against Sale Sharks, adding two tries in a dominant Champions Cup quarter-final win over Castres, and contributing in Northampton’s dramatic semi-final victory over Leinster.

He started the final, where Northampton fell to Bordeaux Bègles, and was later cleared of wrongdoing following a post-match altercation.

His breakthrough season was capped by winning the Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Season award. He continued his form into December with a two-try display against Bath.

Internationally, Pollock’s rise has been rapid. A former England U18 captain, he starred for the U20s—scoring a debut hat-trick, winning the 2024 Six Nations title, and helping secure the World Rugby U20 Championship.

He soon progressed to senior level, scoring twice on debut against Wales in the 2025 Six Nations to become England’s youngest-ever try scorer in the competition.

He later added another try against Australia and earned a World Breakthrough Player nomination, underlining his growing influence on the international stage.

From established stars to emerging names, we explore what top-level performance is really worth in the modern game of English rugby today.

Estimated earnings: ~£650,000+ per year
Club salary: ~£500,000
England EPS / central payments: ~£150,000+

One of the most established forwards in the Premiership, Sale Sharks flanker Tom Curry is believed to earn around £500,000 per year at club level. When his England EPS and match payments are factored in, his total annual income is thought to rise comfortably beyond £650,000.

The financial package reflects his standing within the England national team setup. A former England captain and long-time Test starter, Curry has also featured prominently for the British & Irish Lions, underlining his reputation as one of the northern hemisphere’s premier openside flankers.

Relentless at the breakdown and renowned for his defensive work-rate, Curry’s importance for both Sale and England ensures he remains among the top earners in English rugby.

Estimated earnings: ~£750,000+ per year
Club salary: ~£600,000
England EPS / central payments: ~£150,000+

One of the fastest-rising earners in the Premiership, the Northampton Saints fly-half is reportedly on around £600,000 per year after signing a major new deal in late 2025. When his England EPS contract is added, worth an estimated £150,000, his total annual income is believed to push beyond £750,000.

The financial rise has mirrored his progress on the international stage. Selected for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, Smith later made history by becoming the first Lion whose grandfather had also represented the famous side when he played against Argentina in June.

Estimated earnings: ~£760,000 per year
Club salary: ~£600,000 (contracted through 2028)
England RFU central deal: ~£160,000

Few players in the Premiership combine star power and earning potential quite like Harlequins’ playmaker. Reports from late 2024 suggest a total package of around £760,000 per year, made up of a £600,000 club salary and approximately £160,000 from his England central contract.

At the very top of the game, Smith has already built an impressive Lions résumé. He debuted on the 2021 tour, producing a standout performance against the Stormers, and was again selected for the 2025 tour to Australia, contributing as the Lions secured a 2–1 series victory.

Estimated earnings: Just below £1,000,000 per year
Club salary: Undisclosed (believed near seven figures)
England EPS / central payments: Included in total estimate

Loyalty over maximum earnings has defined the latest chapter of Sale’s midfield general. Although Ford was reportedly offered close to £1 million per season by breakaway outfit R360, he chose to remain in Manchester by signing a new deal. While exact figures remain private, his pay is believed to sit just below the seven-figure mark, particularly when combined with his England EPS income.

That valuation reflects a career built on longevity and success. A prodigy who made his professional debut at just 16, Ford was named World Rugby Junior Player of the Year in 2011, has appeared in five Premiership finals, and lifted titles in 2013 and 2022. He has also featured in three Rugby World Cups for England.

Estimated earnings: ~£800,000–£1,000,000 per year
Club salary: ~£800,000
RFU hybrid arrangement / additional value: Potential to approach £1 million total package

At the very top of the Premiership’s salary ladder sits Saracens’ talismanic forward. Itoje is reported to earn around £800,000 per year, with some sources suggesting his overall package could approach £1 million when RFU hybrid arrangements and strong overseas interest are taken into account.

On the field, his stature is unmatched. The current England captain and most recent leader of the British & Irish Lions, Itoje has won five Premiership titles and three European crowns since turning professional in 2012. Having reached 100 international caps in 2025, his combination of durability, dominance and leadership makes him not only the Premiership’s highest-paid player, but arguably its most influential.