Clubs distance themselves from salary cap row
With Exeter, London Irish and Northampton clarifying their positions, there are now eight teams insisting they are not subject to scrutiny over possible infringements.
Wasps, Sale, Worcester, Harlequins and Gloucester have also denied any involvement in governing body Premiership Rugby's investigations.
Saracens, Bath, Leicester and Newcastle are the remaining clubs yet to comment on the issue.
Premiership Rugby insists there were no salary cap breaches last term, but admits agreeing "settlements" with an unspecified number of the league's 12 clubs.
They have refused to be drawn into specifics on which sides agreed settlements and how many, citing confidentiality agreements.
Exeter head coach Rob Baxter said: "I don't need to say we are one of the teams that have breached the salary cap because everyone knows we are not."
A London Irish statement read: "London Irish can confirm it was not subjected to recent PRL salary cap investigations. The club fully supports and has adhered to the salary cap regulations since its inception and will continue to do so."
Meanwhile the Rugby Players' Association said it has noted the recent release from Premiership Rugby on the salary cap with interest.
"As has been consistently reiterated the RPA and its members support the salary cap and believe that the cap is essential to protecting the long-term financial viability of Premiership clubs and therefore the livelihoods of our members," the RPA said in a statement.
"Earlier this year RPA Group CEO, Damian Hopley, stated that any proven breaches of the salary cap must be exposed and sanctioned accordingly and this still holds true."
He added: "The players allow the artificial restraint of their salaries through the salary cap, which is linked to the Collective Revenue levels of Premiership Rugby.
"It is therefore very equitable that, in return, the players must be given full assurances that the policing of the Cap is of an appropriate level of rigour and that the integrity of the competition and the sport is upheld."
