Bath Rugby emerged as the highest spenders in the Gallagher Premiership during their historic treble-winning 2024/25 season, according to the first-ever published salary expenditure data for all 10 Premiership clubs.
The reigning champions invested approximately £8.5 million in their playing squad—exceeding the £6.4 million salary cap limit through allowable deductions such as credits for homegrown and injured players, and excluding their designated star player, Scotland international Finn Russell.
In addition to their senior squad expenditure, Bath committed close to £1 million to their academy, more than double the investment of regional rivals Exeter Chiefs, Bristol Bears, and Gloucester, signaling a strong emphasis on nurturing future talent under head coach Johann van Graan.
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Other top clubs including Saracens, Harlequins, Sale Sharks, and Leicester Tigers also approached or maxed out the salary cap on their senior squads, placing them just behind Bath in total outlay, as reported by Prem Rugby’s latest salary cap review.
Struggling Newcastle Falcons had the lowest overall spend, failing to reach £4 million, with Bristol Bears next lowest at £6.4 million — one million short of the cap limit. Introducing a salary cap floor of £5.4 million next season aims to raise minimum operating standards, a threshold only Newcastle fell below in 2024-25.
Following three years of a reduced £5 million salary cap to mitigate the pandemic’s financial impact, the cap reverted to £6.4 million last season. While clubs must remain under this limit, salary credits for homegrown, injured, and international players, plus excluded players, allow some flexibility. Notable excluded players include Finn Russell (Bath), George Ford (Sale), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), and Maro Itoje (Saracens).
Position-wise, fly-halves command the highest average salary at £260,000, followed by back row forwards at £192,000. Wings receive the lowest average pay at £132,000, with props slightly higher at £144,000. The average Premiership player salary stands at £191,000, while excluded players earn an average of £533,000. England internationals with over 50 caps average £343,000.
Simon Massie-Taylor, Premiership Rugby’s CEO, praised the salary cap’s role in maintaining competitive balance: “With six different winners in as many years, our system ensures any club can compete for the biggest prize in English rugby on any given day, reflecting strong support for the cap across all teams.”