The reaction of pro players to Saracens' salary cap statement has taken some by surprise

After Saracens released a statement recently from chairmen Nigel Wray regarding the controversy surrounding the salary cap, a number of players past and present have given their opinion of Twitter.

Saracens have been at the centre of a lot of attention recently due to Wray’s business ventures with a number of Saracens players, which some have seen as a way of avoiding the salary cap regulations. Premiership Rugby have opened an investigation into this, but that has not stopped many from voicing their opinion.

Saracens do a lot of player welfare and Wray believes that these investments are a great way to help players after their careers, believing that the club are transparent regarding how they spend their money.

While the Premiership champions have been lambasted by some over this latest revelation, it is clear that this approach is looked upon favourably by a number of players.

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Former Gloucester and England number eight Luke Narraway said that Saracens “lead the way”, which was echoed by former Wales fullback Lee Byrne, who said “retirement is one of the hardest battles you will face as an x pro”. Likewise, former Wales international Jonathan Davies described the “fantastic culture on an off the pitch”, as the playing fraternity seems to support Saracens’ approach.

https://twitter.com/lukenarraway/status/1105181137029251074
https://twitter.com/byrney_15/status/1105365099097788417

A message from Nigel Wray. ?? #TogetherSaracens

— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) March 11, 2019

These are not the only ones that have come out in support of Saracens, as other players have also commended the club. This perhaps shows a contrast in what players think and what fans think, as the players and former players have experienced firsthand life after rugby.

While some fans may still feel that this is unfair on their club, and that is a legitimate objection, this shows that this is a case that is not simply black and white. The fact that so many former players are showing support of Saracens is maybe the greatest endorsement that the club could have.

https://twitter.com/jimhamilton4/status/1105170463117004811
https://twitter.com/davidflatman/status/1105433859036983296
https://twitter.com/LeonLloyd13/status/1105512775948869635
https://twitter.com/pd4rugby/status/1105126588377649152

However, some players are still a little less convinced by Wray’s statement, particularly Harlequins’ Joe Marler, who posted Saracens’ tweet with an emoji alongside. While he has not directly voiced an opinion, there is a feeling that he is not so supportive of Saracens as some other players have been.

? https://t.co/x7ix1VmyHn

— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) March 12, 2019

This is a debate that will surely rage on for a while, but this is an indication that the initial sense of indignation is not shared by all players.