Club representatives met in Salford on Wednesday to debate whether to reduce the cap from �1.8m to �1.5m in 2005.

Instead they decided to include the subject in a wide-ranging debate on the future of Super League.

They were told by the league's lawyers that the cap would stand up in court, allaying fears that it could be challenged as a restraint of trade.

"The clubs received re-assurance from their advisers on the legal status of the principle of a salary cap and had a wide-ranging discussion on its future," a league spokesman said.

"The consensus reached was that the salary cap should be considered as part of a wider debate on the long-term strategy for Super League.

"The RFL will be making proposals to the clubs for discussion and agreement during the first half of 2004."

Opposition

Clubs are currently restricted to spending no more than 50% of their income, up to a maximum of �1.8m, on players' wages.

They must also keep to 20 the number of players on salaries of more than �20,000.

Several clubs, most notably Castleford, had called for a reduction of the cap.

But there was opposition from Bradford, whose chairman Chris Caisley had hinted at legal action to fight a cut.

In the build-up to the meeting St Helens chief executive Sean McGuire said: "We think that, for the moment, the �1.8m figure is probably about right.

"A figure of �1.5m would be far too low. If rugby union uses its 'war chest' from the World Cup, as I believe it will, it would affect the competition for junior players - particularly in areas like the north-west."