Owen Farrell will become the Premiership's highest-paid player, Maro Itoje could depart

The England captain, with his contract expiring at the close of the 2023/24 season, stands to earn over £1 million, making him the league's top-paid player.

Conversely, the altered rules may signal the end of Maro Itoje's marquee player status, as he finds himself unable to earn anywhere near his current salary.

According to recent information from Mail Sport, changes to the salary cap regulations now allow clubs to designate only one 'marquee' player, as opposed to the previous allowance for two.

This adjustment means that Itoje's wages must now fall within the overall spending limit imposed across the top division.

The 29-year-old English lock, who currently stands as one of the highest-paid players in the country with an annual salary of approximately £800,000, has received an offer from his club ranging between £400,000 and £425,000 per year for a contract extension.

Reports now suggest he could head overseas with significant interest coming from Racing 92 and Toulon.

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Vunipola’s explosive carrying, stable scrummaging and fly-half-esque play in the loose has led him to be just as important for England as well as Sarries, with 70 caps for his country. The loosehead made his international bow in 2012 and has since won back-to-back Six Nations titles.

His high-level performances have seen him represent the British & Irish Lions on three tours (Australia 2013, New Zealand 2017, South Africa 2021).

Mako comes from a rich vein of rugby talent. His father and uncle played for Tonga while cousin Taulupe Faletau has been capped by Wales and British & Irish Lions. Brother Billy is a Saracens and England teammate and younger cousin Manu made his senior Sarries debut in the 2018/19 campaign.

A growing influence year on year, the England international eclipsed 150 matches for the Men in Black in 2022 and has become an integral part of the Sarries squad.

Since firmly establishing himself as one of the leading lights in the professional game, Farrell has amassed over 200 appearances for Saracens, over 90 caps for England and he has also been selected for three consecutive British and Irish Lions tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

He has since gone on to captain his country and led them all the way to the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final in Japan.

Farrell’s stellar career thus far has seen him various individual accolades, including 2017 EPCR European Player of the Year after the club’s memorable win over Clermont Auvergne in Edinburgh.