England could pocket Rugby World Cup prize money boost with win over Argentina
England team train ahead of Rugby World Cup Bronze Final match against Argentina
England may be heading home from the Rugby World Cup but there is still one more match for Steve Borthwick’s men to navigate as they take on the surprise package Argentina in their bronze medal match. The game itself is widely criticised by rugby fans and pundits for being nothing more than a moneyspinner, as both defeated semifinalists go head-to-head at the Stade France on Friday.
But for England’s rugby heroes, it offers a chance to end their tournament on a high after their heartbreaking 16-15 defeat to South Africa – and Borthwick can give a run-out to some of his backup players in the squad who haven’t played as much as they would have liked.
Borthwick has selected a new front row comprising of Ellis Genge, Theo Dan and Will Stuart, while Ollie Chessum joins Maro Itoje in the second row. Flanker Sam Underhill is back in the side, as is Henry Arundell, who scored five tries in the 71-0 win over Chile in the group stage. Ben Youngs replaces Alex Mitchell at scrum-half and Marcus Smith returns at full-back as Freddie Steward moves to the wing.
Not only is there pride at stake, but the chance to top up their prize fund from the seven-week tournament is something no rugby player would pass up.
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England’s Rugby World Cup prize money
While organisers have not officially confirmed the prize money on offer, it has been widely reported that the winner of the Rugby World Cup will pocket an eye-watering £4.8million, with the runners-up receiving a cheque for £2.5m. The total prize pot is estimated to be around £40m.
Reaching the semi-final means taking home a guaranteed £1.2m, which is the case for both England and Argentina. It has not been confirmed if the winner of the bronze medal match would then receive another bonus payment on top for finishing third. All 20 teams that entered the tournament receive a ‘participation fee’ of £300k, so England’s 33-man squad will be walking away with £1.5m at the very least for their efforts in France.
That figure could be closer to £2m if, as expected, there is a separate reward for winning the bronze match. The amount is halved for defeated quarter-finalists, including Wales and Ireland, who will benefit financially to the tune of £900,000 each after their run to the knockout stages.
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What do the winners get?
It still pales in comparison to one of South Africa or New Zealand, who will battle it out to be crowned world champion on Sunday.
The Springboks and All Blacks have already secured £2.8m to add to their prize fund, but winning the tournament will take their earnings beyond £5m, giving them a lucrative payday for their success. In comparison to the 2019 prize money, there has been a substantial hike from the £325,000 paid out to the winners.
In any case, England’s World Cup stars will have negotiated their own bonus clauses with the RFU and reaching the semi-finals, if not the minimum expectation is likely to earn them a cool payday for when they return to the British Isles.
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