RFU agrees new Red Roses contract framework
RFU confirms new Red Roses contract framework to 2030, boosting salaries, full-time deals and support for England women’s rugby.
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The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has confirmed a new four-year contract framework with the Red Roses, covering the 2026-2030 cycle and strengthening England’s long-term investment in women’s rugby.
Red Roses Contract Framework Runs To 2030
The new agreement has been developed with the Red Roses and Team England Rugby (TER) , the players’ exclusive commercial representatives. It is designed to support England’s women’s programme through the next major international cycle while improving the professional environment for players.
The framework follows a year of discussions between the RFU, players and TER. It is aligned with the RFU’s women and girls strategy, Every Rose: Our Time, which aims to grow participation, audiences and commercial value across the women’s game.
RFU Investment In England Women’s Rugby
The agreement guarantees a minimum of 32 full-time contracts and continues transitional contracts for emerging players. It also includes higher player salaries, increased match fees and expanded commercial opportunities.
A Rugby World Cup selection bonus has also been introduced to recognise players selected to represent England on the sport’s biggest stage. The framework also includes a mid-cycle review mechanism, allowing pay and wider support arrangements to be reviewed if commercial performance exceeds expectations.
Red Roses Build On Professional Progress
The new contract framework builds on the progress made since full-time contracts were introduced for England’s women’s team in 2019.
The RFU said the investment is part of a long-term strategy to build a sustainable model for women’s rugby while keeping the Red Roses at the top of the global game.
“This agreement represents another major step forward for the women’s game in England. We are making a deliberate, long-term investment in building the strongest and most sustainable environment for our players to succeed," said RFU CEO Bill Sweeney.
“The Red Roses set the standard globally, not just through their performances, but through the role they play in inspiring the next generation. This framework reflects both our ambition to remain number one in the world and our responsibility to grow the game for the future.”
The agreement also sits alongside the RFU’s wider £24 million commitment to Premiership Women’s Rugby over 10 years.
