Female players at English rugby clubs are being paid to play for the first time, Telegraph Sport can reveal, in a move which has echoes of the men’s game's transition to professionalism in 1995.

Saracens and Worcester will be paying players from this season while Harlequins are supporting members of their squad through covering accommodation costs.

Reigning Premier15s champions Saracens are paying retainers to some players including all those who are contracted centrally by the Rugby Football Union, as part of an ambitious development plan, while all members of the matchday squad will receive fees.

Telegraph Sport understands that the Saracens contracts are in the region of £12,000 - £15,000 while the fee per match is thought to be somewhere around £200-250 per match. Worcester Warriors Women who have finished bottom the previous two seasons are offering match fees of £150 - £250 depending on experience.

These ground-breaking pay to play deals at club level come just nine months after the RFU reintroduced full-time contracts for 28 players.