England forward Henry Pollock's ambition for a £1 million annual salary in Premiership Rugby faces considerable obstacles due to the league's salary cap regulations. The current cap stands at £6.4 million per club, with a new minimum spend, or 'salary cap floor', of £5.4 million for the 2026-27 season.
Reports suggest that Pollock's current club, Northampton Saints, does not have the necessary cap space to accommodate a £1 million deal for the 21-year-old. While clubs could potentially create space by reducing other players' salaries, this is noted as potentially unpopular and not sensible business.
The 'excluded player' rules, which allow certain salaries to be exempt from the cap, also present difficulties for Pollock. To be nominated as an excluded player, an individual must have been with the club for at least two full salary cap years prior to nomination, meaning Pollock cannot immediately become Northampton's excluded player next season. These regulations are designed to prevent clubs from poaching players and manipulating contracts.
Premiership Rugby stated that the salary cap aims to prevent clubs from over-spending, control inflationary pressures, and ensure the viability and competitiveness of clubs. The league is forecast to achieve record revenues exceeding £200 million for the first time this year.