Exeter boss Rob Baxter says Premiership clubs should seek to sign world-class stars like Jordie Barrett by developing their own 'Fortnum and Mason' recruitment policy

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter wants Gallagher Premiership clubs to match the spending and ambition of Irish giants Leinster by developing their own ‘Fortnum and Mason’ recruitment policy.

Leinster this week confirmed the signing New Zealand star Jordie Barrett on a short-term deal for next season.

Baxter believes the 27-year-old’s sabbatical is valuable for European rugby but wants the English top-flight to also become an appealing destination for overseas stars.

‘It makes you a bit jealous you’re not working in Leinster’s recruitment department,’ Baxter said of their signing of Barrett. 

‘I don’t think it’s bad for these competitions to have world-class players. 

‘What we want to find out is ways we can do it as well. There is a lot we have to do to get to that level, but why shouldn’t we be aiming for it? That’s what we should be trying to do.’

Baxter pointed out current Newcastle boss Steve Diamond once said that the sort of player Premiership clubs can sign depends on how high the quality of the market they are shopping in is.

Baxter said: ‘It might be Fortnum and Mason, depending on how you want to look at it!’

The Premiership’s salary cap – how much each team can spend on their playing squad – is set to rise from £5million to £6.4m for next season.

In theory that should allow teams to outlay more on their squad, but that is unlikely given the league’s ongoing financial struggles in the wake of the pandemic.

Leinster’s significantly higher playing budget and overall spend is helped by the fact they get more central funding from their national governing body to pay for their Irish stars in a system that operates differently to that in England. 

Leinster have also signed South Africa’s World Cup-winning lock RG Snyman for 2024/25.

Ken Owens, the former Wales captain and Lions hooker, has confirmed his retirement from all rugby with immediate effect after a long battle with a back injury.