"The club is cooperating with Premiership Rugby (...) and has met representatives of Premiership Rugby to discuss these allegations," the club, the undefeated leader of the English league, said in a statement.

For his part, a spokesperson for Premiership Rugby, organizer of the competition, declined to comment.

This investigation comes as the Saracens have returned to the elite of the English Championship this season after a year spent in the second division, as a sanction for repeated breaches of the salary cap.

© 2021 AFP