Statement: Five players lose their England central contracts

Wednesday, 12 August 2026 at 14:30

byCharlie Elliott

England have confirmed that five players have been removed from their RFU central contracts, with five new players taking their places.

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Steve Borthwick has today confirmed his 25-player list for the upcoming year, with the contracts taking the players through to the build-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The list is likely to provide a strong indication of who could be part of England's travelling squad for Australia, with the 25 contracted players expected to make up the core of the group.

The contracts are worth around £150,000 per year on top of players' club salaries, while also giving England greater control over areas such as injury rehabilitation and recovery.

There is also a clear shift towards youth, with all five players losing their contracts older than the five players coming into the group.

Ollie Lawrence - Out

At his best, Lawrence is among the best centres available to England. Still only 26, he featured just once during the recent Six Nations against Ireland due to injury and has struggled to find his best form for Bath.

He was part of England's 2023 World Cup squad, but the loss of his central contract, combined with the depth available at centre, could make it more difficult for him to force his way into the squad for 2027.

Tom Willis - Out

Willis is set to drop off the central contract list after leaving England and Saracens to join Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Bègles.

The back-rower never made a Test appearance while holding an England central contract. He was paid in full after joining the list last August, but his move to France at the beginning of the season subsequently ruled him out of England selection.

Ben Curry - Out

Curry was a regular during the 2025 Six Nations and was rewarded with a central contract later that year.

However, his hopes of retaining the deal have been damaged by a difficult 2025-26 campaign. The Sale back-rower made just four club appearances throughout the season and did not feature for England after struggling with a persistent hamstring problem.

Tom Roebuck - Out

Roebuck has slipped down the pecking order over the past year after losing his place during the 2026 Six Nations.

Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso remain ahead of him among the contracted wingers, while Cadan Murley and Noah Caluori have also been preferred in recent England matchday squads.

The Sale winger's ability under the high ball has long been one of his biggest strengths, but the emergence of Caluori could make it increasingly difficult for Roebuck to work his way back into Borthwick's plans.

Elliot Daly - Out

Daly's omission could be viewed as a long-overdue change to England's plans, with the experienced utility back making way for younger options.

He remains a valuable squad player and has featured on the past three British and Irish Lions tours, although his selection in England matchday squads has sometimes divided opinion.

Daly started at fullback in England's final two Six Nations matches this year, but suffered an arm fracture that ruled him out of the Nations Championship during the summer.

Seb Atkinson - In

One of the breakout players of the past year, 24-year-old Atkinson made his England debut during last year's successful tour of Argentina and the USA.

He has since established himself as one of Gloucester's key players despite his age, while starting all three Nations Championship matches this summer at inside centre.

Atkinson has also been named as the fittest player in rugby based on his Bronco time from last year, underlining the physical standards he has already developed.

Alex Coles - In

Coles has become an increasingly important member of England's squad over the past year.

The 26-year-old Northampton Saints forward featured in all 12 of England's Tests and started at lock during the July Nations Championship matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.

His opportunities initially came with captain Maro Itoje rested, but his consistency throughout the season has firmly put him in contention for a place at next year's World Cup.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour - In

At just 22, Opoku-Fordjour has already won eight England caps, with four of those coming during the past season.

His versatility is one of his biggest attractions, with the Sale prop capable of operating on both sides of the scrum.

Borthwick is expected to place significant value on versatile players when selecting his World Cup squad, making Opoku-Fordjour a strong fit for his plans.

The youngster has more experience at tighthead and looks set to compete for a starting role there with Sale next season. Loosehead appears more settled, with Bevan Rodd and Nicky Smith providing cover.

Guy Pepper - In

Another exciting young prospect to make significant strides over the past year, 23-year-old Pepper appears to be the direct replacement for Ben Curry within the EPS.

Pepper was first called up to train with the senior England squad by Borthwick in March 2024 ahead of the conclusion of that year's Six Nations.

He won his first cap from the bench in a 35-12 victory over Argentina during the 2025 Test series. In the following match, he assisted Jack van Poortvliet for the deciding try as England secured a 22-17 victory to complete a 2-0 series win.

Pepper also crossed the try line in England's 73-8 victory over Fiji during the 2026 Nations Championship on 11 July.

Jack van Poortvliet - In

Leicester Tigers scrum-half van Poortvliet has been around the England setup for several years and has now been rewarded with a central contract.

Still only 25, he is beginning to establish himself as an important option behind Alex Mitchell, starting all three Nations Championship matches in Mitchell's absence this summer.

Van Poortvliet received his first senior England call-up from Eddie Jones in June 2022 before making his debut on 2 July that year. He scored a consolation try as England lost 30-28 to Australia in Perth.

He was named in England's squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup but suffered a significant ankle injury during England's second warm-up international and was forced to withdraw.

In June 2025, van Poortvliet was also called into the British and Irish Lions training squad for their match against Argentina during the Lions tour.

Other notable players

Several players have retained their status despite some surprising omissions elsewhere in the squad.

George Ford has been retained despite the 33-year-old now appearing to be second choice at fly-half behind Fin Smith. His experience and influence within the squad could have played a role in Borthwick's decision to keep him involved.

Noah Caluori has also not been handed a central contract despite enjoying a breakout year, which is particularly notable given that Daly and Roebuck have both been removed.

Still only 19, Caluori scored on his Test debut against Fiji this summer and is likely to remain in contention for England's World Cup plans. However, England may have decided that it was too early to hand him a central contract.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg has also not been awarded one. He looks set to play a significant role in Borthwick's plans after switching allegiance from South Africa, but his limited time with England so far may have counted against him when the contracts were decided.

England Men’s enhanced EPS contracts:

Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
Fin Baxter (Harlequins)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)
George Ford (Sale Sharks)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
George Furbank (Harlequins)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Martin (Saracens)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)

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England's route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup final: Borthwick handed dream draw

With the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw now confirmed, England’s potential path through the knockout stages is beginning to take shape.

Steve Borthwick’s side appear to have landed on the more favourable half of the draw, raising hopes of another deep run on the sport’s biggest stage.

From the pool phase to a possible final in Australia, here is England’s projected route through the tournament — and the major rivals who could stand in their way.

Pool Stage

England have been drawn with Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe in Pool F at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Although Wales are likely to strengthen by then, Steve Borthwick’s team will still be firm favourites to top the pool and advance to the round of 16 without major difficulty.

Round of 16

If England top their group, they will meet the Pool B runners-up in the round of 16. Pool B features South Africa, Italy, Georgia and Romania. The Springboks are expected to win the pool, meaning England would avoid the reigning back-to-back world champions, and the remaining teams are unlikely to pose a major threat.

Italy are the most probable candidates for second place. Although they are an improving side and far from a guaranteed victory, England should still be confident of beating them.

Quarter-finals

Italy’s defeat would set up a quarter-final against a runner-up from either Pool A or Pool E. Pool A includes the All Blacks and hosts Australia, raising the possibility of a rematch of the 2003 final between England and the Wallabies — a tricky prospect given Australia’s home advantage.

The Pool E runner-up is most likely to be Japan, though the USA or Samoa could also feature. Regardless, Australia are expected to progress, potentially paving the way for a thrilling showdown with a traditional rivals

Semi-finals

If England can navigate the Wallabies without major setbacks, they should reach the semi-finals — at which point the outcome becomes far harder to predict. Their side of the draw will feature two third-placed teams and two pool winners, and it’s likely that one of those pool winners will progress to the semis.

That would mean facing the winner of either Pool C or Pool D. Argentina are favourites in Pool C, while Pool D could be topped by either Ireland or Scotland. Any of these sides would pose a significant test, but England would still back themselves to compete strongly against each of them.

Final

And if they overcome their semi-final opponents, the most probable finalists waiting on the other side of the draw would be New Zealand or South Africa. Both are powerhouse rugby nations with exceptional squads, though South Africa have had the upper hand in recent years as back-to-back World Cup champions and current Rugby Championship holders.

That sets up the real possibility of a repeat of the 2019 final in Japan, where the Springboks claimed a 32–12 victory.