Australia’s Super Rugby players have received a 10% pay increase with squad sizes expanded to up to 40 players.

This is part of a new collective bargaining agreement announced by Rugby Australia on Wednesday.

The overall Super Rugby salary cap has been adjusted to a total of A$5.5-million (R53-million), with the average player receiving A$225,000 (R2.2-million) in 2018.

The Force’s axing from Super Rugby has seen the number of professional players in Super Rugby in Australia decrease from 175 to 160.

Pay equality between Super Rugby and sevens players – male and female – has also been achieved, with the entry-level full-time minimum salaries replicated across the professional game.

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