Experienced lock Michael Rhodes is rumoured to be among the Saracens players who could be released from the club to comply with Premiership salary cap rules.

The defending Premiership champions are facing the possibility of having to let go a number of their players or cut their salaries as the club looks to rebuild its brand.

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Wales star fullback Liam Williams has already sealed a move back home to Scarlets, but he could be released before the end of the Premiership season. Williams has missed most of the current season through injury and is likely only to be back in time for the start of the Six Nations. Local reports suggest that the transfer would have happened regardless of Saracens’ financial situation.

According to the Daily Mail, it is the players whose contracts will be ending this season who are most likely to be at risk of wage cuts.

Rhodes, who has played for Saracens since joining from the Stormers in 2015, will be out of contract at the end of the season. The 32-year-old, who can play at lock and flank, formed a major part of the Saracens sides which won the Premiership and European Champions Cup three times between 2015 and 2019.

Other players who could join Rhodes in leaving the club include loose-forward Calum Clark and Argentinian prop Juan Figallo.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has said that despite the situation at the club, players will not be forced out.

‘If anything has to happen, it will be players who will be coming towards the end of their careers in all probability — or their contract ends in four month,’ McCall said.

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