Salary cap rule changes could deny Leeds Rhinos signing despite mid-season exits

Leeds Rhinos fans expecting a major mid-season signing may end up disappointed. The departures of Alex Mellor and Jack Broadbent had seemingly opened up salary cap space for the Rhinos to recruit in mid-season, but new salary cap rulings that were brought in ahead of the season mean they could have already spent that money.

Previously, the salary cap has been governed by a 'live' system which has meant clubs wouldn't be able to exceed the figure they were allowed to spend at any point in the season. But that system was removed before the new season and replaced by a different system. Under the new protocols, a method has been implemented that means a club's spend must be below their allotted salary cap spend by the end of the season.

In simple terms, if a club is allowed to spend £2.1 million a season, they simply must end the season having not exceeded that spend. It means that a team could start a season with a squad worth more than their allowance, so they would have to ensure that over the course of the season they had made changes to their squad that meant that by the end of the season they had spent no more than what they were allowed. In effect, a club's spend is judged over a 12 month period.

A further example of how it works follows. If a club is projected to spend the exact amount they are allowed, but then sign a player valued at £100,000 six months into the season, it would add £50,000 to their salary cap and would mean they have to save that before the end of November.

Back in April, the Rhinos signed Zak Hardaker. Leeds were understood to be very close to spending the cap, but the new rulings meant they were able to bring him in. However, the club was aware that at some point during the season they would