• Enhanced contracts have been signed by 17 players
• Players’ group Team England Rugby brokers new deals

England players including the captain Jamie George have voiced “extensive concerns” about their workload to the Rugby Football Union and raised player welfare issues facing international stars before agreeing their new contracts.

George has also insisted that the introduction of player welfare protocols specific to England players “needs to be explored” as part of the new deal which has seen the RFU award enhanced contracts worth £160,000 each to 17 players.