The Rich List: Who are rugby's highest-paid players?
Rugby isn’t one of the highest-paid sports in the world, yet the top earners are still taking home big pay cheques every year, so let’s take a look at some of the highest-paid players in the world according to Wales Online
Furlong is one of the best front rowers in the world, mixing brute power with surprising skill and dexterity, no wonder Leinster are happy to fork out well over half a mil a year for the tighthead!
Pollard faced the difficult job of replacing George Ford at Leicester last season, doing an excellent job in between injuries. Pollard wasn’t initially selected in the Springboks World Cup squad but was swiftly flown in for his calmness and fantastic goal-kicking.
Luatua could well have been a 70-cap All Black if he hadn’t left his international career behind to join Bristol back in 2017. The flanker joined the Bears whilst they were still in the Championship and has been a key cog ever since.
By many expert’s reckoning, Dupont is the best player in the world. The stocky scrum-half has everything you’d look for in a nine, great passing, kicking, and running, all whilst organising his monstrous forward pack.
Despite his perceived lack of form in an England shirt over the past couple of seasons, Farrell is a modern-day great. He may not always been everyone’s cup of tea but there’s no denying his quality.
Not to be outdone by his English counterpart, Biggar is also raking in the big bucks following his move to Toulon.
One of the best locks of his generation, Itoje has been a huge part of an all-conquering Saracens side and an England team that came oh-so-close to a World Cup win.
The diminutive winger has been earning huge money during his time in France with both Toulouse and Toulon, now signing with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, his wages look set to increase even more!
Following his departure from New Zealand rugby, Piutau has been taking home some serious cash during his stint with the Bristol Bears. Another superstar heading to Japan after the World Cup, the Tongan is set to earn seven figures on his latest deal.
The Scottish fly-half will be earning every penny of his million-pound contract when he joins up with Bath following Scotland’s World Cup exit. Perhaps the most exciting 10 in the world, Russell will have plenty of talent around him to make an instant splash in England.