England to cash in

England's players are set for a 50 per cent rise in their earnings after the World Cup.

Will Carling's squad is expecting to bank £10,000 from off the field promotional activities this season. But Malcolm Phillips, the former England centre who chairs a rugby union working-party with senior squad members, said: "We will be looking to attract a single, lite sponsor when the current contracts with the players' sponsors run out after the World Cup.

"That sponsor would be given the full Twickenham package offered to our rugby union sponsors - tickets, hospitality facilities, etc - but the cash will go to the players' own company.

"This season the regular members of the team should get £10,000 from their legitimate off-field activities that involve promoting the four sponsors who are involved in the team.

"However, we believe that there is a greater potential for earning capacity later in the year, and we are hopeful that the rewards can reach £15,000. That would be easily attainable if England do well in the World Cup."