'We've not breached cap' - Baxter

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has today confirmed the Devon club were not one of those who were investigated for possible breaches of the salary cap.

Premiership Rugby said last week that certain issues were pursued last season with some clubs relating to access to information and to commercial contracts where there were differences of opinion as to the correct inclusion or not in the Salary Cap spend.

The issues were not straightforward and were subject to differing legal opinion and consequent risk as to any judgment on the correct interpretation. Premiership Rugby and the clubs have now resolved the issues identified and have entered into appropriate confidential settlements.

At his weekly media briefing, Baxter was at ease to say the Chiefs were not one of the clubs who were subject to scrutiny.

“I don’t need to say we are one of the teams that have breached the salary cap because everyone knows we are not,” said Baxter. “I don’t mind sitting here and saying we’re not a team that breaches the salary cap. I know that and I think everyone who is involved and watches Exeter knows the chat is nothing to do with Exeter.

“From the first day I was here as head coach, I’ve known what my budget is and I know the directors and the people here have worked incredibly hard to try and get us the best budget that we can.

“Everyone knows when you look at Sandy Park – the way we run it, the way we manage it and the way we try to maximise our budget and spent it in the best way we can, that is what we have done and that is what we will continue to do.

“I am not going to get drawn into comments about other people’s budgets because I don’t know what they are. What I will say is I know where we stand, we haven’t done anything wrong and we will just to continue to focus on ourselves. “

With the Clubs having reached agreement on the level, formulation and management of the Salary Framework through until 2018, Premiership Rugby believes this will play an important role in underpinning the objectives of financial sustainability for all Clubs, a competitive and unpredictable Aviva Premiership Rugby competition and European success.

And Baxter himself is all in favour of the salary cap being raised, adding: “The cap going up is a good thing because ultimately we have to try and create a level playing field. Teams in England should want to be comparable with the best teams in Europe and ultimately money is going to be important.

“One of the things it will allow us to do is hopefully keep our best young players. There can often be a lot of talk about the salary cap and bringing in foreign players, but I think we’d all be pretty disappointed if each club started to lose their own best players. Ultimately, I think it will give you the chance to hold onto your players.”

Baxter added: “That said, we’re always very keen to bring in quality from somewhere else if it improves us as a side. I think what has helped to improve our young players has been the impact of players of other cultures, other countries and other competitions. I guess perfect examples of that is the likes of Jason Shoemark (pictured), Sireli Naqelevuki and Dean Mumm, all of whom had a big impact here at the club. To think guys like that will not improve the English game is a bit naïve.

“Personally, we are going to look at it exactly the same in the fact that we will have a budget and we will spend it as best we can year on year. What other teams decide to do will be up to them.”