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Steve Borthwick can allocate 25 contracts worth £150,000 a yearSaracens chief says stalemate may impact club’s recruitmentLeading English clubs are urging the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to accelerate their plans to introduce hybrid central contracts for a limited number of key men’s international players. Saracens are one of several sides keen to know exactly how many of their squad will be offered deals and precisely how the new system will operate.Sarries’ director of rugby, Mark McCall, who works closely with a number of England players including the national captain Jamie George and the lock Maro Itoje, is hoping the situation will be clarified sooner rather than later. “It’s pretty important that it gets sorted as quickly as possible,” said McCall, suggesting his star players had still not seen their final contracts. Continue reading...