Premiership rugby clubs will be fined up to £250,000 if they fail to meet a new quota for fielding England-qualified players (EQPs) during the 2024-25 season. This move is part of a wider effort to strengthen the domestic player pathway and enhance opportunities for homegrown talent.
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New Quota for England-Qualified Players
For the upcoming campaign, all 10 Premiership teams are required to have an average of 15 EQPs in their 23-man squads across the season. Falling below this average at any point during designated periods—such as from the opening round this weekend until the end of December (round nine)—will result in financial penalties, as reported by The Telegraph.
Impact on Recruitment and Academies
A recruiter speaking to RugbyPass suggested that the new regulations will incentivize clubs to boost their academy systems, focusing more on domestic player development.
“It will definitely put an onus on smart domestic recruitment but also add more pressure on academies,” the recruiter said. “Not just to produce homegrown players, but to ensure they have pathways in place to prepare those players for Premiership-level rugby.”
At the same time, the removal of the distinction between “foreign” and “non-foreign” players—such as those under the Kolpak ruling—could see more players being recruited from countries like New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and the USA.
Previously, players from South Africa, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga were categorized as non-foreign under the Kolpak agreement, but now only EQPs and non-EQPs will be counted.
Elite Player Squad Contracts and Borthwick’s Role
England head coach Steve Borthwick is expected to finalize a group of up to 25 players who will receive enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts in the coming weeks. Under the Professional Game Partnership (PGP), Borthwick will have the “final say” on medical issues involving these players, giving him greater control over their welfare during the season.
RUCK has made bold predictions regarding the 25 players poised to snag central contracts from the RFU for the forthcoming 2024/25 season.
Front-row: 5
1. Ellis Genge
2. Dan Cole
3. Jamie George
4. Theo Dan
5. Will Stuart
6. Fin Baxter
Second-row: 3
1. Maro Itoje
2. Ollie Chessum
3. George Martin