Alex Coles and Asher Opoku‑Fordjour have been named among a select group of twenty‑five England rugby union players who will receive enhanced contracts from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for the first time. This marks a significant milestone in their professional careers and reflects the governing body’s confidence in their abilities and potential contributions to the national side.
The two forwards join a cohort that includes fellow newcomers George Martin, Guy Pepper and Jack van Poortvliet. All five have been placed on the RFU’s 2026/27 roster of players eligible for the upgraded terms, which replace the previous per‑match fee structure with a guaranteed annual salary.
The shift to a fixed remuneration package gives the England set‑up greater control over each player’s medical care, conditioning programmes and overall welfare, ensuring a more consistent and professional environment. Alex Coles, a lock who plies his trade for Northampton Saints, has been a steady presence in the English side over the past twelve months. During that period he accumulated twenty‑two Test caps, showcasing his line‑out expertise, work‑rate in the breakdown and physical presence in the second row. His performances at club level have been equally impressive, with Coles regularly featuring as a key figure in Saints’ set‑piece and defensive structures.
The enhanced contract acknowledges his rapid development and signals that the RFU views him as a long‑term pillar of the national forward pack. Asher Opoku‑Fordjour, meanwhile, is a prop who has already made a name for himself despite being only twenty‑two years old. Since breaking into the senior England squad, he has earned eight Test caps, demonstrating a rare blend of scrummaging power, mobility around the park and ball‑carrying ability that modern rugby demands from front‑row players. His rapid ascent through the ranks—culminating in regular selection for the national side—has earned him a place alongside the other newly‑contracted players.
The inclusion of Coles and Opoku‑Fordjour also means that several previously contracted players will lose their elite status under the new system. Ben Curry, Elliot Daly, Ollie Lawrence, Tom Roebuck and Tom Willis will no longer hold enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts for the upcoming season.
This reshuffle underscores the competitive nature of England’s talent pool and the RFU’s willingness to reward emerging performers who have demonstrated form and fitness at the highest level. The upgraded contracts are part of a broader strategic initiative by the RFU to centralise player management and ensure that England’s elite athletes receive the best possible support. By offering a fixed annual salary, the union can better monitor and coordinate medical treatment, physiotherapy, nutrition and strength‑and‑conditioning programmes.
This approach also provides players with financial stability, allowing them to focus entirely on their on‑field responsibilities without the uncertainty of per‑match earnings. In addition to Coles and Opoku‑Fordjour, the list of players receiving the enhanced contracts reads like a who’s‑who of England’s current and future talent. It includes seasoned internationals such as Luke Cowan‑Dickie (Sale Sharks), Maro Itoje (Saracens) and Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), as well as rising stars like Fin Smith (Northampton Saints) and Marcus Smith (Harlequins).
The presence of both established veterans and promising youngsters reflects the RFU’s dual focus on maintaining immediate competitiveness while building depth for the long term. The announcement also featured a range of club affiliations, highlighting the spread of talent across the Premiership. Players from Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, Bath Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Bristol Bears, Saracens and others are represented, illustrating the national team’s reliance on a broad base of domestic clubs to supply high‑quality performers. For fans and stakeholders, the move to enhanced contracts is a clear signal that England Rugby is investing in a more professional, holistic model of player development.
By taking final responsibility for each player’s health and conditioning, the RFU aims to minimise injury risk, optimise performance peaks, and ultimately deliver a more consistent and successful England side on the international stage. The list of players, beyond the highlighted names, includes: - Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby) - Fin Baxter (Harlequins) - Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers) - Alex Coles (Northampton Saints) - Luke Cowan‑Dickie (Sale Sharks) - Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) - 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) The RFU’s decision to publicise the enhanced contracts alongside a call‑to‑action for fans to choose their preferred sports notifications and to download the Sky Sports app underscores the commercial and engagement aspects of modern rugby.
While the primary focus remains on player welfare and performance, the union also recognises the importance of connecting with supporters through digital platforms and personalised content. In summary, Alex Coles and Asher Opoku‑Fordjour’s inclusion in the enhanced contract list not only rewards their individual achievements but also exemplifies the RFU’s broader commitment to nurturing talent, securing player health, and fostering a competitive England side for the 2026/27 season and beyond.