Salary cap will take toll on Lam

THERE is no sounder rugby man than Pat Lam so it was interesting when he commented that staying within the salary cap was easy, that Bristol are way under the cap and will continue to be so next season when Semi Radradra arrives. So how do you stay ship shape and Bristol fashion? Well the thing that hits you right between the eyes is their savvy overseas recruitment. Their four biggest names and highest earners – Charles Piutau, below, John Afoa, Stephen Luatua and Luke Morahan have zero international commitments although still clearly being of Test standard. Barring injury Bristol get a full season-long shift out of them and the need for cover is not so great. Bristol’s other stand outs, Siale Piutau and Chris Vui, also have no international commitments during the Six Nations and will possibly be unavailable for just two weekends during the November Test window. Clever stuff. All clubs have that option but some take another approach. How much rugby will Saracens have got out of Liam Williams by the end of his two-year contract? Ditto Elliott Daly. But there is another part of the equation that currently aids Bristol. And that is how much do Bristol contribute to the England effort which is so draining for clubs like Saracens and Leicester? How much do they benefit from not developing the big name England players who are away for long stretches but must still be paid top dollar by the club? Bristol didn’t have anybody in England’s World Cup squad, nor did a Bristol player start for England at any stage last season. Who was Bristol’s last England international? In 2008 Jason Hobson won his solitary cap against New Zealand. All this makes squad building and wage structuring infinitely easier. Exeter benefitted hugely from such a scenario when they came up from the Championship and their best players were still ignored by England and Bristol are currently enjoying that honeymoon period. As their younger English players come through, earn caps, and require higher wages it might all become a little more challenging.