Cueto told to back up claims that clubs are ignoring the salary cap

Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths today mounted a robust defence of English rugby’s £4.5million salary cap after former England wing Mark Cueto claimed clubs were breaking the limit.

Saracens’ high-profile squad — strengthened by the arrivals of Billy Vunipola from London Wasps and James Johnston from Harlequins this summer — attracts plenty of debate within the sport.

Premier Rugby will ask Cueto to back up his claims but Griffiths denies clubs are flouting the cap.

“The tall poppies catch most wind in life but Premier Rugby look at our books as they do with all the other clubs in the Premiership to ensure everything is in order,” said Griffiths.

“The system is centrally monitored and administered and if Mark Cueto wants to assist in the administration of the cap then he should offer his services to PRL. Success breeds interest in your club.

“The aim of the agreed salary cap is to create a competitive league and that is what we have in England. If we go to London Irish, Sale or Newcastle, the result is not a foregone conclusion and we came close to losing to London Welsh last season.”

Sale wing Cueto made his claims in an interview with The Daily Telegraph although he did not identify which clubs were breaking the rules. The 33‑year-old said: “There’s no way you can tell me certain clubs in the Premiership are sticking to the salary cap. I’m not saying them all but I certainly think there’s a couple.

“You look at a couple of clubs, and for them to be within the salary cap, they would all have to be on pretty average money, and for the names and the players they’ve got, they’re not. So, that’s a different conversation. I don’t want to get into trouble talking about that, but it’s blatantly obvious to everyone involved in the game.