The Red Roses have secured a groundbreaking four-year pay agreement with the Rugby Football Union (RFU), potentially allowing top stars to earn £100,000 by 2029 if they successfully defend their Women's Rugby World Cup title in Australia. This new arrangement signifies a 25% increase on previous terms, which will expire at the end of June.

In addition to their World Cup triumph in September before a sell-out crowd of 81,885, the Red Roses have also claimed eight consecutive Six Nations titles and are currently on a remarkable run of 38 Test victories.

Despite the significant raise, the players still earn less than their counterparts in football and cricket:

• England's women's cricketers reportedly earn between £90,000 and £130,000 annually.
• The Lionesses reached a bonus agreement with the Football Association in 2023 after a public dispute.

The agreement includes a £20,000 bonus for each player following their World Cup win, while top stars received a basic salary of about £50,000. The RFU has invested £24 million into top-tier Premiership Women's Rugby over the past decade and plans to review these contracts after two years to ensure they adjust based on the women's game's commercial performance.

Contracts will be categorized into three bands, rewarding senior players accordingly, with some contracts lasting up to three years while others are for a single year. A minimum of 32 contracted Red Roses are guaranteed, with player announcements expected in the next fortnight.

Captain Meg Jones emphasized the importance of this deal for the team's future, stating, "As Red Roses, our goal is always to be the number one team in the world on the field and off it. This is an important moment for the group and for the game in England." The agreement marks a shift in negotiations, being the first facilitated by Team England Rugby rather than the Rugby Players Association.