The Guardian's Paul Rees reflects on a bad week for the Leicester Tigers.
"Richard Cockerill said this week that the salary cap in England was a prime reason why Premiership clubs were struggling to compete in the Heineken Cup. With the final round of group matches starting this Friday, only Saracens and Harlequins are likely English contenders for the quarter-finals.
"I do not think you have the financial clout to compete at the top end, especially if you have injuries," said Cockerill. "You do not have the money to have the depth of squad. That is not a criticism of anybody: that is the fact of it. In England, by and large, you have to be successful in Europe. If you do well in Europe, it is a bonus."
The £4.2m cap did not explain the manner of Leicester's defeat to Ulster at Ravenhill last Friday. The Tigers were short of a few of their internationals, but to lose 41-7 on a night that, in terms of the weather, was kind for Belfast in January, no rain or howling wind, suggested something that went beyond how many caps you had sitting on the bench."
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