England captain Owen Farrell has called for a clear-the-air meeting with his team-mates as the squad prepares for the Six Nations, amid fallout from the Saracens salary cap scandal. The meeting, set to take place at England's training base in Vilamoura, Portugal, comes after leaked documents revealed the extent of Saracens' breaches.
A leaked summary of a 103-page dossier, obtained by Sky News, outlined how Saracens owner Nigel Wray entered into property joint ventures totalling £1.3 million with players including Maro Itoje. Itoje was also paid £95,000 for hospitality work for a company run by Wray's daughter, which was never undertaken. Additionally, Wray and two directors paid £1.6 million for a 30% stake in Itoje's image rights company, when shares were worth only £800,000.
The overspend above the salary cap by Saracens was £1.1 million in 2016/17, £98,000 in 2017/18, and £906,000 in 2018/19. Saracens chief executive Ed Griffiths confirmed the joint investment schemes had ended, but the club will not allow independent scrutiny of their books. Saracens also appear to have no intention of returning the two Premiership trophies won while over the cap.
Farrell, speaking at the Six Nations launch, said: “Eddie said the other day that if we need to speak about it as a group we will. When we get together it will be clear because we are very good at being honest and open about stuff and sorting things out.” He added: “I felt like we grew a lot in the summer as a group and I'm sure everyone is excited about getting together.”
Ireland coach Andy Farrell, Owen's father, believes the tension can be harnessed by England head coach Eddie Jones. “Well I’d be using the situation if I was Eddie and Eddie’s not stupid,” he said. “I see Eddie using it to galvanise England a little bit as well.”
Meanwhile, Saracens and England No 8 Billy Vunipola's season looks likely to be over after breaking his arm again, ruling him out for a minimum of 16 weeks.
