Red Roses secure four-year contract framework with RFU after becoming world champions

England’s Red Roses have agreed a new four-year contract framework with the RFU, covering the current Women’s Rugby World Cup cycle from 2026 to 2030. The deal, developed collaboratively with Team England Rugby over the past year, guarantees a minimum of 32 full-time contracts and introduces enhanced player support, increased earning potential, and a World Cup selection bonus.

The RFU described the agreement as “a significant further investment in England’s women’s rugby programme,” adding that it reinforces the governing body’s long-term commitment to building a world-leading performance environment and accelerating the global growth of the women’s game. The framework is also aligned to the RFU’s women’s and girls strategy, Every Rose: Our Time.

Player salaries, match fees, and commercial opportunities will continue under the new terms. A formal mid-cycle review has also been introduced to ensure pay and support are regularly reassessed, particularly if the commercial performance of the women’s game materially exceeds expectations.

Red Roses captain Meg Jones welcomed the announcement: “As Red Roses our goal is always to be the number one team in the world on the field and off it. The investment into our programme and our pathways is critical to that and so this is an important moment for the group and for the game in England.”

Jones added that the deal offers players greater security and recognition, while also safeguarding the pipeline of future talent. “It’s about the future – continuing to invest in a strong pipeline of players, and making sure the next generation has an even stronger platform to come through and succeed.”

The timing of the agreement reflects just how far England women’s rugby has travelled since full-time contracts were first introduced in 2019. In that period, the Red Roses have claimed eight Women’s Six Nations titles — seven of them Grand Slams — and have held the World Rugby number-one ranking since 2020.

The only significant setback came at the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, where England fell to the Black Ferns in the Eden Park final. They responded emphatically on home soil last year, defeating Canada 33-13 at Allianz Stadium in front of a world record crowd of 81,885 to be crowned world champions for the first time in 11 years.