Cap relaxation for older players

[Brandnewtorugby]

Just read the article about Banahan linked below. His experience is probably mirrored by many players that get dropped by a club they have a strong association with, Haskell springs to mind. If clubs were exempted some of the cap for players like these perhaps it would give a few more options for players and clubs. For example a cap exemption/reduction for players that have played at a club for something like 8 years (not necessarily consecutive) and or academy graduates, perhaps limited to half of the games per season if the exemption is used. I think for some players it would help with a transition to non-playing life.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/my-loyalty-to-bath-was-between-me-and-the-supporters-not-me-and-the-club/

[hookender]

Interesting idea ,could work and also allow bigger squads to reduce injury and game fatigue.

[InBetweenWasp]

I think it's a nice idea in principle to help repay the loyalty of long-serving players but adds another layer of complications to an already complicated Salary Cap.  I also think it's something that is open to abuse.

Taking your example of 8 years service and/or an academy graduate who has stuck with the club you could exempt half of the Sarries squad, allowing them to spend even more on incoming talent. 

I think for it to work it needs to be age-based rather than service-based.  Perhaps the same criteria - salary exempt but can only play 50% of league games (and a 1 minute appearance in a single game counts as a game) for those who are 33 and over.

That way the players exempted aren't in their prime years of their career (in theory - a few exceptions like Gopps, Stringer, Nick Evans etc...).

But for me, it still adds too much complication to an already complicated cap structure.

[matelot22]

I think it's a nice idea in principle to help repay the loyalty of long-serving players but adds another layer of complications to an already complicated Salary Cap.  I also think it's something that is open to abuse.

Taking your example of 8 years service and/or an academy graduate who has stuck with the club you could exempt half of the Sarries squad, allowing them to spend even more on incoming talent. 

I think for it to work it needs to be age-based rather than service-based.  Perhaps the same criteria - salary exempt but can only play 50% of league games (and a 1 minute appearance in a single game counts as a game) for those who are 33 and over.

That way the players exempted aren't in their prime years of their career (in theory - a few exceptions like Gopps, Stringer, Nick Evans etc...).

But for me, it still adds too much complication to an already complicated cap structure.

I was in the process of writing a very similar post. Nice in principle, but over complicated and would be a nightmare to regulate I suspect.

[Neils]

I think it's a nice idea in principle to help repay the loyalty of long-serving players but adds another layer of complications to an already complicated Salary Cap.  I also think it's something that is open to abuse.

Taking your example of 8 years service and/or an academy graduate who has stuck with the club you could exempt half of the Sarries squad, allowing them to spend even more on incoming talent. 

I think for it to work it needs to be age-based rather than service-based.  Perhaps the same criteria - salary exempt but can only play 50% of league games (and a 1 minute appearance in a single game counts as a game) for those who are 33 and over.

That way the players exempted aren't in their prime years of their career (in theory - a few exceptions like Gopps, Stringer, Nick Evans etc...).

But for me, it still adds too much complication to an already complicated cap structure.

I was in the process of writing a very similar post. Nice in principle, but over complicated and would be a nightmare to regulate I suspect.

Oh got there first. 👍

[Brandnewtorugby]

Yep, age would certainly make more sense and simplifies enforcement. That would make it a retirement equivalent of the academy credits.

I take the point about adding complexity. As with everything, what appears straight forward as a concept becomes very difficult to define elegantly.

[Rossm]

Yep, age would certainly make more sense and simplifies enforcement. That would make it a retirement equivalent of the academy credits.

I take the point about adding complexity. As with everything, what appears straight forward as a concept becomes very difficult to define elegantly.

I think it would depend a lot on the mindset of those implementing it

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Given the financial situation at most clubs would they want the added wage bills and other costs that a an even bigger squad entails? As InBetweenWasp says, this could play in to the hands of the richer clubs.

I do like the idea of rewarding loyalty by both club and player, although I can't think of a way that doesn't favour rich clubs.