Prem Rugby will introduce minimum salary floor of £5.4m for clubs next season

• Move designed to increase competitiveness of league

• Prem hope to open expansion windows every four years

Prem Rugby will introduce a minimum salary floor of £5.4m for each club next season as part of a long-term plan to increase competitiveness as the top-flight becomes a franchise league.

The RFU Council voted last month to ringfence the existing 10-team Prem until the 2029-30 season, when it is hoped an additional two clubs will be added provided they meet minimum financial and sporting standards.