Saracens were found to be in breach of the cap in three consecutive seasons

Saracens were very nearly handed a 70-point deduction for breaking the salary cap, which would almost certainly have relegated them. They were saved by Premiership Rugby’s regulations allowing for discretion in cases where such a harsh penalty may not be “in the spirit” of the competition.

The club are meanwhile bowing to pressure to comply with the salary-cap regulations and, after the news that Liam Williams is likely never to play for them again, a number of other players have been approached about leaving by the end of the month, and George Kruis, the England and British & Irish Lions lock, may move at the end of the season.

Saracens were handed a 35-point deduction for breaching salary-cap rules, which is the maximum sanction that