Richard Cockerill: 'Wage cap a good thing'

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has defended the current Aviva Premiership salary cap, insisting that it is a 'good thing' for rugby union.

Saracens have recently called for the £5.5m maximum wage budget to be axed, but Cockerill is certain its use benefits the game.

"The cap is there for a reason. It is a good thing because it keeps the league competitive," he told BBC Sport.

"There is no point having two or three sides who can spend £15m, and the rest can spend £5m or £6m, because that is what makes the league uneven.

"We can only afford to spend what we've got. What we create, we spend. We are not in debt, and that is exactly how we want to stay."

The current restrictions were put in place to encourage teams to produce young players and enhance homegrown talent.