Bristol Bears have issued a statement 'categorically stating' the club is and will continue to operate within the Gallagher Premiership's salary cap.
The statement comes following reports Bristol face losing several wanted core players in their squad as the club desperately look to offload contacts to squeeze under the salary cap as a serious administrative blunder has put them at risk of exceeding it next season.
The Daily Telegraph report the Bears missed a deadline to notify a number of players that they would not be taking up the option of an extra year on their contracts; as a result the deals have technically automatically kicked in meaning the club could be at risk of overspending under the reduced £5m salary cap.
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A spokesman for Bristol Bears said: "Bristol Bears are aware of reports in the Telegraph on Thursday, March 31st.
"The club reiterates its commitment to salary cap compliance and we continue to work closely with PRL.
"We categorically state that we have been, we are and will continue to be under the salary cap.
"As per previous seasons, the majority of our recruitment for the 2022/23 campaign has been done early, with new arrivals and player retention details to be announced in the next few weeks."
On Thursday the club confirmed the departure of former England international lock Dave Attwood, with both parties known to be keen on keeping him at Ashton Gate beyond this season. Attwood, 34, joins Bath on a two-year contract.
Meanwhile former England number eight Nathan Hughes also confirmed this week that he is joining French Top 14 side Clermont next season. And earlier in the week, The Rugby Paper reported centre Antoine Frisch, winger Luke Morahan fly-half Tiff Eden and backrower Mitch Eadie could all depart at the end of the season.
Bristol had already committed to signing England loosehead prop Ellis Genge, Sale fly-half AJ MacGinty and Scotland international backrower Magnus Bradbury ahead of next season before the administrative error came to light in March.
