Saracens stunned by 35-point deduction for salary cap breach

Reigning Premiership champions Saracens have been shoved out to to 11-2 from 18-1 with BoyleSports for a title hat-trick after being hit with a 35-point deduction for a breach of the salary cap.

Sarries were also fined £5.36m following an investigation into business partnerships between chairman Nigel Wray and some of the club's players.

The charges relate to a failure to disclose player payments in each of the past three Premiership campaigns.

In the five seasons that Saracens have finished as Premiership champions, a 35-point deduction would have meant they would not have reached the playoffs - but would also not have been relegated.

The points deduction - suspended as well as the fine until the outcome of the club's appeal - would currently place them bottom of the table on -26 points as Saracens who are also reigning European champions, have won two of their opening three league matches.

Back-to-back runners-up Exeter, who have also won two of their first three league games, are now 8-11 from 7-4 for Grand Final glory for a second time in four seasons, while current leaders Northampton and third-placed Gloucester are 9-1 shots.

Sale Sharks are 12-1 fifth-favourites with Harlequins available at
22-1 and second-placed Bristol Bears backable at 25-1.

The sanction has no bearing on any other domestic or European competition so Sarries remain 5-2 to defend their Champions Cup crown and also keep their spot in the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-finals.

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