Saracens have been Premiership Champions for four of the last five seasons

Saracens were hit with the biggest penalty in English rugby union history when they were docked 35 points yesterday for a breach of Premiership salary-cap rules.

Officials at Saracens were last night desperately attempting to mount a defence against the ruling for a breach of the £7 million annual salary limit in each of the past three seasons. But their rivals are pressing for further swingeing measures on top of the docked points and £5.3 million fine:

• Tony Rowe, the chairman of Exeter Chiefs, has demanded their relegation.

•The other Premiership clubs have discussed refusing to play their fixtures against Saracens if they pursue their appeal against the ruling.

• The clubs have also discussed establishing a new Premiership with Saracens frozen out.

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