Who are the top eight highest paid rugby players of 2024? Rugby’s financial landscape has evolved dramatically, with the sport’s biggest stars commanding eye-watering salaries across the globe.
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From Premiership giants to the lucrative leagues of France and Japan, these elite players are reaping the rewards of their world-class talent.
Here’s a look at some of the highest earners in the game today, with numbers that will leave you amazed.
Highest paid rugby players of 2024:
Antoine Dupont (France) – £700,000
The face of French rugby and an Olympic hopeful, Dupont is set to wow fans at the Paris Olympics with the French Sevens team. But for now, he’s pocketing a cool £700,000 with Toulouse. Rumor has it that a sabbatical in Japan could be on the cards once he’s back in the 15-a-side game. Stay tuned—his pay packet might just get a shake-up.
Dan Biggar (Wales) – £800,000
Wales’ finest, Dan Biggar, leveled up in a big way when he swapped Northampton Saints for Toulon. His earnings jumped from £600,000 to a hefty £800,000 at the French powerhouse. As the sole Welsh representative on this list, Biggar is raking it in on the Côte d’Azur.
Siya Kolisi (South Africa) – £800,000
Two-time World Cup-winning skipper Siya Kolisi bags around £800,000 at Racing 92. But with Owen Farrell’s impending arrival, could that change? It’s yet to be seen how Racing’s big-money plans unfold in the seasons to come.
Maro Itoje (England) – £800,000
Saracens’ powerhouse lock, Maro Itoje, has a tidy hybrid deal with Sarries and England, padded by RFU contributions. Earning £800,000, he might see his pay shift as RFU-backed contracts roll out. Tempting offers from France, including Lyon’s eye-popping €1 million deal post-World Cup, prove his market value remains sky-high.
Faf de Klerk (South Africa) – £900,000
From the Sale Sharks to the shores of Japan, Faf de Klerk struck gold, netting £900,000 annually with Yokohama Canon Eagles. The tenacious Springbok scrum-half’s move in 2022 made him one of the sport’s top earners.
Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) – £937,000
Kolbe turned heads with his million-euro salary at Toulon after a blockbuster £2.23 million transfer from Toulouse. Released a year early, he faced a flurry of mega offers and turned down a reported £2.7 million from the Sharks. Now, he’s gearing up for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, where he’ll make a hefty £900,000.
Finn Russell (Scotland) – £1 million
The magician of Scottish rugby, Finn Russell, cashed in when he joined Bath post-World Cup. Leaving Racing 92’s £850,000 salary behind, he secured a £1 million deal with the Premiership club. The Rec faithful will expect every penny’s worth.
Owen Farrell (England) – £1.2 million
It seemed like Farrell might slide down the earnings list, especially with talk of taking a pay cut at Saracens. But in a blockbuster move, he announced his switch to Racing 92, with whispers of up to £1.2 million per season. That deal would make him the sport’s highest-paid player, cementing his legacy as one of rugby’s elite earners
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