How the Saracens salary cap scandal could strengthen New Zealand rugby

"It will be interesting to see now that they're relegated what happens with some of their key players – their high wage players, their England players, and how the rest of the competition reacts," Lendrum told the Herald.

"It [salary cap scandal] is not a situation I would ever see happening here, but if some of them are interested in coming out here and playing Super Rugby… we've got Joe Marchant playing at the Blues this year from Harlequins, our partner.

"We're massively excited about Joe and you never know – maybe not in a Lions year next year but if someone else wants to come out and try their hand at Super Rugby we'd be really open to it.

"In those situations players have to drive it. Joe drove his decision to come here, just like James Haskell did seven or eight years ago because they want to try a different style of rugby in a different environment."

"It's been a fast-paced pre-season - everything is done at top speed," Marchant said after being named in the midfield alongside captain Faiane. "It helps having such perfect conditions to train in. I was on the phone with family back home and it's -1 degC and I'm on my way to training in 25degC."

Harbour's All Black prop Karl Tu'inukuafe, who missed the World Cup squad and had surgery in the off-season, will also play the first half for the Blues.

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.

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