England men's team end association with Rugby Players Association

England Men's team have decided to end their partnership with the Rugby Players Association (RPA) ending their 20-year association. 

The RPA started to represent England men's team in 2004 negotiating on their behalf on fees and commercial deals with the Rugby Football Union. It is understood that the partnership was worth around £240,000 a year to the RPA.

Nevertheless, the England men's team now have decided to hire a new agency to replace RPA following the upcoming summer when the partnership terminates.

The RPA will however continue to represent players at the club level and the issues outside the international game.

“The RPA are disappointed to announce that Team England LLP have chosen to end the RPA’s status as exclusive commercial representatives at the end of the current EPS agreement in June 2024,” the RPA said in a statement.

“The RPA have proudly represented the England Men’s squad since 2004, consistently positioning them as the best rewarded in global rugby union.

“We will continue to support, promote, and protect all elite players in the English game via RPA representation, including those selected to play for the England Men’s side. A current EPS men’s representative has placed on record that the squad give the RPA their full backing in supporting players across the English game.”

According to a report in The Telegraph, the new agency replacing RPA will be headed by Gaia Bursell with an official announcement expected in due course.