Securing a £1m-a-season deal for Henry Pollock presents a significant challenge under current Premiership Rugby salary cap regulations. The club salary cap stands at £6.4m, meaning a team's entire squad salaries must not exceed this figure. While Pollock could theoretically earn £1m, it depends on a club having substantial cap space, with Newcastle being the only team previously in that position.

New regulations for the 2026-27 season also introduce a salary cap floor of £5.4m, further limiting flexibility for high-earning individuals. For Pollock to remain at Northampton and command such a salary, the club would need to drastically reduce other players' wages, a potentially unpopular move. The concept of 'excluded players' (or marquee players) offers a potential workaround, as their salaries are exempt from the cap. However, strict rules govern who qualifies, requiring a player to have been at a club for at least two full salary cap years prior to nomination. This prevents immediate designation, aiming to curb poaching and contract manipulation.

Furthermore, the 'averaging' rule dictates that if an excluded player's salary exceeds their average earnings over three years, the excess amount is counted against the cap. The identities of excluded players are also confidential, adding another layer of complexity. The salary cap's primary purpose is to ensure financial stability and prevent overspending, a lesson learned from the financial difficulties of clubs like Wasps and Worcester. Despite the league's predicted record revenues and competitive nature, significant changes to the cap structure would require extensive club consultation.