This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/17/premiership-rugby-salary-cap-level-rise-mark-mccafferty

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Premiership Rugby confirms salary cap level will rise to £5.5m next season Premiership Rugby confirms salary cap level will rise to £5.5m
(about 2 hours later)
Premiership Rugby officials have confirmed changes to the league’s salary cap from next season.Premiership Rugby officials have confirmed changes to the league’s salary cap from next season.
As expected, the base salary cap level will rise to £5.1m, plus £400,000 in home-grown player credits. This season’s salary cap is set at £5m. Each Premiership club will additionally be able to nominate up to two ‘excluded players’ whose salary is not included in the cap.As expected, the base salary cap level will rise to £5.1m, plus £400,000 in home-grown player credits. This season’s salary cap is set at £5m. Each Premiership club will additionally be able to nominate up to two ‘excluded players’ whose salary is not included in the cap.
The changes were confirmed following a meeting of Premiership Rugby’s chairman and shareholder group. The changes were confirmed after a meeting of Premiership Rugby’s chairman and shareholder group.
Premiership clubs can already nominate one so-called marquee player in their squad, whose wages are excluded from the salary cap constraints. For the 2015-16 campaign, a second marquee player can be recruited who is new to Premiership rugby next term and has not played in the competition for at least 12 months.Premiership clubs can already nominate one so-called marquee player in their squad, whose wages are excluded from the salary cap constraints. For the 2015-16 campaign, a second marquee player can be recruited who is new to Premiership rugby next term and has not played in the competition for at least 12 months.
The home-grown player credits apply to players who joined a club academy before their 18th birthday and have been with the club for more than two years. Premiership Rugby says the emphasis is on further increasing the number of Premiership home-grown players.The home-grown player credits apply to players who joined a club academy before their 18th birthday and have been with the club for more than two years. Premiership Rugby says the emphasis is on further increasing the number of Premiership home-grown players.
“We are delighted to confirm the number of England-qualified players in Premiership rugby has passed 70% for the first time and we want to drive the numbers even higher,” the Premiership Rugby chief executive, Mark McCafferty, said.“We are delighted to confirm the number of England-qualified players in Premiership rugby has passed 70% for the first time and we want to drive the numbers even higher,” the Premiership Rugby chief executive, Mark McCafferty, said.
“The increase in the base level of the salary cap will help our clubs to retain English talent. Also, the introduction of home-grown player credits helps the enviable production line that has been established from our academies to our Premiership squads and on to England.“The increase in the base level of the salary cap will help our clubs to retain English talent. Also, the introduction of home-grown player credits helps the enviable production line that has been established from our academies to our Premiership squads and on to England.
“England and their clubs are getting stronger because of our commitment to the development of world-class England players in Premiership rugby. It is an essential part of our league and the strength of our system.”“England and their clubs are getting stronger because of our commitment to the development of world-class England players in Premiership rugby. It is an essential part of our league and the strength of our system.”
Explaining Premiership Rugby’s thinking, McCafferty added: “The level of the salary cap is linked to central revenues, which have increased significantly in recent years as a result of a new broadcast partner in BT Sport, new European revenues and the recent contract signed with our title sponsor Aviva.Explaining Premiership Rugby’s thinking, McCafferty added: “The level of the salary cap is linked to central revenues, which have increased significantly in recent years as a result of a new broadcast partner in BT Sport, new European revenues and the recent contract signed with our title sponsor Aviva.
“This increase in central revenues has allowed us to increase the salary cap and further help our clubs compete in both the new European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup.”“This increase in central revenues has allowed us to increase the salary cap and further help our clubs compete in both the new European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup.”
Speaking on Tuesday, the Harlequins rugby director, Conor O’Shea, said that English clubs needed extra buying power to retain leading players after the 2015 World Cup. Speaking on Tuesday, the Harlequins rugby director, Conor O’Shea, said English clubs needed extra buying power to retain leading players after the 2015 World Cup.
“I think there is little alternative really and there are some important changes,” O’Shea said. “Wages are accelerating all the time in France and Japan, and we want to keep home-grown players at home for as long as possible. “I think there is little alternative really and there are some important changes,” O’Shea said. “Wages are accelerating all the time in France and Japan and we want to keep home-grown players at home for as long as possible.
“These cap increases, yes, they will allow us to improve squads but they also won’t give you too much leeway to make huge amendments to your squad.“These cap increases, yes, they will allow us to improve squads but they also won’t give you too much leeway to make huge amendments to your squad.
“Hopefully, it will allow us just to keep competitive the whole time, retain what you’ve got and develop the young English players that don’t stay for free.” “Hopefully it will allow us just to keep competitive the whole time, retain what you’ve got and develop the young English players that don’t stay for free.”