Pollock earns first enhanced England contract as Farrell misses out

Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 10:36 PM
AFP
by AFP
Henry Pollock has earned his first centralised England contract. Photo: Getty Images
Henry Pollock has earned his first centralised England contract. Photo: Getty Images

Henry Pollock's impressive breakout year in international rugby has rewarded the Northampton back-row with an enhanced England contract for the first time.

The 20-year-old has made only one England appearance, scoring two tries as a replacement in a 68-14 Six Nations thrashing of Wales in March.

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But that lone cap off the bench, allied to fine late season form for Northampton, earned Pollock selection for the British and Irish Lions' victorious tour of Australia.

Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Curry, Elliot Daly, Joe Heyes, Tom Roebuck, Will Stuart and Tom Willis have also taken up enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) deals, which are reported to be worth £150,000.

But former Red Rose captain Owen Farrell, back in English rugby with Saracens following a brief stint at Paris-based Racing 92, was not on the 25-man list announced by head coach Steve Borthwick on Monday.

England and Lions captain Maro Itoje, together with fellow Lions tourists Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith and Tom Curry are among those retained.

The contracts, introduced last year, give England final say over players’ medical care and replace match fees with a fixed annual salary.

"I am pleased to name the players who will receive an enhanced EPS contract this season," said England boss Borthwick.

"These contracts, together with our strong relationship with the Premiership clubs, will continue to play an important role in the ongoing development of England Rugby."

England Men’s enhanced EPS contracts:

Fin Baxter (Harlequins)

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers) 

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks)

Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)

Elliot Daly (Saracens)

Ben Earl (Saracens)

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)

George Ford (Sale Sharks)

Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)

George Furbank (Northampton Saints)

Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)

Jamie George (Saracens)

Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)

Maro Itoje (Saracens)

Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)

George Martin (Leicester Tigers)

Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)

Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)

Tom Willis (Saracens)

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