Wasps 'paupers' must break the French bank again

In his role as managing director of player management company Inside Rugby, former England coach Dick Best has considerable experience of placing players with clubs all over Europe and he believes Wasps' achievement last season was amazing given their salary cap.

He said: "The major clubs in France like Toulouse, Biarritz, Perpignan, Castres and Stade Francais have huge playing budgets - up to £7m a year. The budgets are so big because a player going to France can expect to receive a good wage on top of free accommodation and a car, which doesn't happen here. Those benefits in kind will be taxed in Britain but it isn't the case in France and that makes the package even more attractive to a player.

"Another major factor for the French clubs are the municipal stadia that they receive, while our clubs in England have to pay to improve their facilities.

"It gives the French clubs a huge advantage and when you realise the kind of figures we are talking about, it makes what Wasps achieved with their salary cap and small squad really fantastic.

"They beat Toulouse, the biggest club in France, in the Heineken Cup final.

"Toulouse have the highest wage bill because they boast the biggest squad. With the city being the third highest in terms of living expense in France, you can see why the wages have to be so good to attract players. You also have to add to the equation in France the salaries of the coaches and the travelling around the country for matches. France is attractive for players, even though they probably play more games than in England. If you want to earn more money and play in just a dozen or so matches, then head for Japan."

Damian Hopley, chief executive of the Professional Rugby Players' Association, believes there is growing support for an end to the salary cap in England, although he admits the artificial handicap has helped bring financial stability and improved playing standards across the Zurich Premiership.

However, Hopley is adamant the salary cap would not stand up to a legal challenge as it is restrictive on the players. He said: "What Wasps did last season was very special, operating under a salary cap against French clubs who do not have that restriction on their spending. I am certain something is going to have to give in England in the near future.

"There is a growing feeling in England that the cap should be challenged, although the necessary majority is not there and I can understand that situation.

"The municipal funded stadia make a huge difference to the French clubs who can boast 20,000-capacity arenas they didn't have to pay to build. You need the government to help our game with funding for stadia improvements.

"If things don't change you have to ask: How long can we hang on to our top players before they are lured to France?"