Bristol are going to have to watch their spending if the salary cap gets reduced, as is a distinct possibility according to some.
Really interesting interview with Pat Lam and how he operates, specifically relating to the cap, on The Rugby Pod podcast with Goodey and Jim Hamilton.
Great insight into him as a man manager, what a great bloke. Very quick to say we shouldn't conflate a hugely wealthy owner with an unlimited budget. Specifically says they're under the cap but this season is the closest they've ever been to it. Spoke about how a good number of the squad he inherited were on big wages, but not first choice for their position - something he's reversed. In order to earn a big contract, you need to be justifiably number one in your position and playing (i.e. not often injured).
Vaughan was quoted in his article as saying Bristol partly-justify the likes of Piutau's contract as it puts bums in seats on away games, not just their home games. I'm not sure where that came from but Lam says in his interview that he considers what someone can add to the team first and foremost and then the value they can add to the club in terms of potential interest/bums in seats for their home games.
Some real transparency and honesty (I think) - a very different sort of interview to something special happening at Saracens!