Salary cap cuts in the pipeline

SALARY cap reductions are likely in the rugby league Championship divisions next term.
Contrary to a report in the trade press earlier this week, no details of the plan have yet been finalised.

However, at a meeting of all professional clubs outside Super League at the Leigh Sports Village, a number of clubs are understood to have pressed for a reduction in the current cap limits of £400,000 (Championship) and £200,000 (Championship One) due to the difficult financial climate.

The idea behind the move is to prevent further scenarios which in recent times have seen Rochdale and, last month, Doncaster hit financial trouble.

Clubs which are able to afford to continue spending at the current levels will be given special dispensation to carry on doing so, provided the RFL are happy with the supporting evidence offered to them.

“It is fair to say that the majority of clubs are wanting the issue to be looked at in these difficult times,” said Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton.

“Nothing has been decided yet, but we would expect the salary cap to be brought down from next year.”

If changes are confirmed, it is expected Oldham will seek to carry on operating to the current salary cap.

Meanwhile, the club are in the process of arranging scans for Robert Roberts and Thomas Coyle.

Roberts’ injury is thought to be concentrated around his knee rather than the quad and he will be looked at next week.

Coyle has sustained ankle ligament damage and his upcoming scan will show the extent of the injury.

In last night’s Championship One clash, unbeaten Dewsbury beat Keighley 46-6 to extend their winning streak in the league to 10 successive games.

It takes the Rams eight points clear of Oldham in second, who have a game in hand.

Hunslet have beaten off competition from York to sign 21-year-old winger Wayne Reittie from crisis club Doncaster.