Maro Itoje is set to hand England a major boost by signing a new multi-million rand contract extension with Saracens after financial aid from the RFU.
Itoje’s future in England was clouded in uncertainty due to a change in the salary cap regulations, meaning that clubs could only nominate one player, not two, as “marquee” for their salaries to sit outside of the cap.
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With Saracens opting to nominate captain Owen Farrell as their marquee player, Itoje was looking at a significant pay reduction to stay at the club, with interest in the lock from France and Japan.
However, according to the Telegraph, a historic intervention from the RFU has allowed Saracens to not only keep Itoje, but also England hooker Jamie George, on ‘enhanced hybrid contracts’.
Both players have reportedly been offered a lump sum of £160,000 (R3,7 million) per season by the RFU on top of new contracts with Saracens.
The move had been made as the RFU is eager to stop the flow of talent out of the Premiership, with Northampton Saints captain Lewis Ludlam set to join Toulon, becoming the latest English player to move to France, following lock David Ribbans (Toulon), centre Joe Marchant (Stade Francais), wing Henry Arundell (Racing 92), outside back Jack Nowell (La Rochelle) and loose forward Sam Simmonds (Montpellier).
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