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.
