Bath Rugby emerged as the top spenders in the Gallagher Premiership during their remarkable treble-winning 2024/25 season. The club’s total salary expenditure for their playing squad reached approximately £8.5 million, which includes the £6.4 million salary cap plus additional credits and the investment in their excluded player, Scotland’s Finn Russell.
This strategic financial commitment not only fueled Bath’s senior squad but also extended significantly to their academy, where they invested nearly £1 million—more than double the spending of regional rivals Exeter Chiefs, Bristol Bears, and Gloucester.
Other leading clubs such as Saracens, Harlequins, Sale Sharks, and Leicester Tigers also maximized or nearly maximized their salary cap, closely trailing Bath in overall team expenditure, according to the latest salary cap report released by Prem Rugby.
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At the lower end of the scale, Newcastle Falcons recorded the least spending, with under £4 million, while Bristol Bears spent £6.4 million, falling £1 million short of the salary cap. Looking ahead, the Premiership will implement a salary cap floor of £5.4 million next season to help raise minimum spending standards—only Newcastle fell below this threshold in 2024/25.
After three challenging years at a reduced £5 million cap due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s financial impact, the salary cap reverted to £6.4 million last season. Clubs can operate under this cap while earning credits for homegrown players, injured individuals, and internationals. Additionally, some star players are classified as excluded from the cap, allowing teams to invest more in marquee talent.
Among these excluded players are Bath’s Finn Russell, Sale’s George Ford, Harlequins’ Marcus Smith, and Saracens’ Maro Itoje.
Positional salary analysis shows fly-halves remain the highest paid at an average of £260,000, followed by back-row players at £192,000. Wings earn the least at £132,000, with props slightly higher at £144,000. The overall average salary in the Premiership stands at £191,000, while the average salary for excluded players is a substantial £533,000. England internationals who have surpassed 50 caps earn an average of £343,000.
Simon Massie-Taylor, Chief Executive of Premiership Rugby, praised the salary cap’s role in maintaining competitive balance: “The cap continues to be supported by all and it is central to driving the competitiveness of the Prem. With six different winners in as many years, we should all be proud of our system that ensures that any club, on any given day, can compete for the biggest prize in English rugby.”