Salary cap killing the English Premiership, warns Pat Lam

WARNING: Bristol's director of rugby Pat Lam. Pic: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Bristol’s director of rugby, Pat Lam, says the Premiership’s status as a globally attractive league is under threat if ambitious clubs continue to lose their biggest names and action is not taken to eradicate the geographical inequalities hindering the development of young English players.

Lam, whose side face a must-win game at home to Sale Sharks on Friday if they are to stay in a congested playoff race, believes the reduced Premiership salary cap of £5m risks undermining the league’s long-term appeal. He is also calling for a nationwide draft system to be introduced to improve the talent available to the England team.