Alex Coles and Asher Opoku-Fordjour have joined a select group of England rugby talent to receive upgraded contracts from the Rugby Football Union (RFU), marking the first time these two have been granted such terms. The forwards are part of a 25‑player roster slated for the 2026/27 season, alongside other newcomers to the enhanced contract scheme including George Martin, Guy Pepper and scrum‑half Jack van Poortvliet.
Lock Alex Coles has been a standout performer for the Northampton Saints and has cemented his place in the national side over the past year. In the twelve months leading up to this announcement he accumulated a total of 22 Test caps, demonstrating consistency and resilience at the highest level of the game. His physical presence, line‑out expertise and work rate have made him a reliable option for England’s forward pack, and the new contract reflects the RFU’s confidence in his continued development.
Prop Asher Opoku‑Fordjour, only 22 years old, has also earned a reputation as a force in the front row. Despite his youth, he has already earned eight Test caps and is praised for his scrummaging strength, mobility around the park and ability to contribute in open play.
His rapid rise through the ranks and performances for Sale Sharks have convinced the national selectors that he is an integral part of England’s future front‑row options. The inclusion of Coles and Opoku‑Fordjour in the upgraded list means that several players who previously held Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts will see their status change. Ben Curry, Elliot Daly, Ollie Lawrence, Tom Roebuck and Tom Willis will no longer be on the enhanced EPS scheme. The revised contracts give England a greater degree of control over the players’ medical care, conditioning programmes and overall welfare, while also replacing per‑match fees with a guaranteed annual salary.
This shift aims to provide greater financial stability for the athletes and to align their remuneration with the professional standards expected of international players. The announcement also featured a roster of other notable England internationals, highlighting the depth of talent currently available to the national team. Names such as Seb Atkinson from Gloucester Rugby, Fin Baxter of Harlequins, Ollie Chessum from Leicester Tigers, and veteran lock Luke Cowan‑Dickie of Sale Sharks were mentioned, underscoring the breadth of experience across the squad. Further down the list, established players like Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), and George Ford (Sale Sharks) were noted, as were emerging stars such as Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints) and Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears).
The inclusion of seasoned hooker Jamie George (Saracens) and dynamic back‑row forward Maro Itoje (Saracens) reinforces the balance between youth and experience that the RFU is aiming to maintain. The expanded contract programme also encompasses a range of backs and forwards from various Premiership clubs: George Martin (Saracens), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby) and Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).
Their presence on the list indicates that the RFU is rewarding performance across the league, not solely focusing on traditional powerhouses. From a broader perspective, the move to enhanced contracts reflects a strategic shift in how England manages its elite players. By offering a fixed salary, the RFU aims to reduce the uncertainty that can accompany match‑by‑match payments, allowing athletes to focus more fully on preparation and recovery.
The contracts also give the governing body a clearer mandate over training loads, injury prevention protocols and overall player welfare, which is increasingly important in a sport where the physical demands are ever‑growing. Fans are encouraged to stay informed about such developments through the Sky Sports app, where they can customize notifications to receive the latest updates on player contracts, squad selections and match results. The app serves as a hub for rugby enthusiasts who want real‑time information on the sport’s evolving landscape. In summary, Alex Coles and Asher Opoku‑Fordjour’s elevation to enhanced contracts marks a significant milestone in their careers and signals the RFU’s commitment to nurturing talent across both forward and back‑line positions.
Their achievements, combined with the broader list of 25 players, illustrate the depth of English rugby talent heading into the 2026/27 season and beyond.