Top 15 rugby players that earn the most money worldwide

The world’s highest paid rugby players

Rugby is a highly esteemed and lucrative sport, with the majority of its professional players rising to the top of the earnings charts for athletes. These athletes keep obtaining new contracts, extending existing ones, and succeeding in sports despite the Coronavirus disruption that forced the cancellation of most athletic events. These are the world’s highest paid rugby players.

1. Dan Carter – £1 million 

The majority of Dan Carter’s supporters think he is the greatest rugby player in the world, and he is regarded as the most successful fly-half to have ever graced the rugby field. He plays football for Racing 92 and is a native of New Zealand. The celebrity earns £1 million annually and has an estimated net worth of £1.4 million. He is the highest paid rugby player on this list, which makes him stand out.

2. Charles Puitau – £1 million 

Charles, a former speedster for the All Blacks, made headlines when he abruptly gave up on his dreams of playing rugby internationally at the age of 23. However, the 2015 relocation was worthwhile since it landed him a big deal with Ulster of PRO14. After three years, he signed with the Bristol Bears, becoming the first million-pound player in British rugby history to earn a million pounds a season.

3. Stuart Hogg – £1 million 

Scottish rugby player Stuart serves as captain of his country’s squad. He comes from a line of gifted rugby players, and his success keeps bringing in large sums of money. He was the highest paid sports figure in Scotland while he was still a player for the Glasgow Warriors. Stuart Hogg earns almost £1 million a year in income.

4. Handre Pollard – €1.06 million (£920,000)

Together with Piutau, the Springboks playmaker and Rugby World Cup winner made headlines as the wealthiest rugby duo. This came when he decided to join Montpellier of the Top 14 instead of the Bulls of Super Rugby. The South African currently has an annual income of €1.06 million and a net worth of over £1 million.

5. Michael Hooper – $1.2 million (£870,000) 

Australian-born professional rugby player Michael Hooper is the captain of the Waratahs squad in Super Rugby at the moment. The gifted athlete became one of the highest paid athletes in the world when he inked a big five-year contract with Rugby Australia. His yearly income is approximately $1.2 million.

6. Steve Luatua – $1.33m (£960,000) 

Before his excellent career ended, Steve Luatua also departed from international rugby to join Bristol in the RFU Championship. He is an important player and the captain of the Bristol Bears right now. The former All Blacks loose forward inked a contract that puts him among the highest-paid rugby players globally. Every year, he earns $1.33 million.

7. Morgan Parra – $1.18m (£850,000) 

Morgan left the French national team to concentrate on his role as a half-back at Massif Centrale. The seasoned France rugby union player is a capable scrum-half and outside-half who can also kick goals. Despite a stagnant international career, he is among the most paid players because to a recent contract deal with his current club. His pay is $1.18 million.

8. Johnny Sexton – $1.10m (£790,000)

When Johnny won “Rugby Player of the Year” in 2018, it made headlines. The star returned to his home province of Leinster following a brief season with Racing 92. He is now the highest paid player in Ireland and captains both Leinster and the Ireland national side. Having just extended his contract, his net worth of $1.10 million places him among the wealthiest rugby players in his nation.

9. Maro Itoje – £750,000 to £1 million 

Maro signed a contract with Saracens and soon after became one of the wealthiest rugby players in Europe. Itoje’s long-term contract makes him one of the top paid rugby players. Alongside colleague Owen Farrell, he is one of the top paid players for the England national team. Marro makes between £750,000 and £1 million a year.

10. Owen Farrell – £750,000 

Owen Farrel, a five-eighth for England and one of Saracens’ biggest earners, is renowned for his quickness and ingenuity on the field. Due to salary cup violations, he was demoted to the RFU Championship, but he continues to play for the struggling Premiership champions. The celebrity earns roughly £750,000 in salary, but because of the coronavirus outbreak, she also contributes roughly £300,000 to the club.

11. Matt Giteau – $1 million (£720,000) 

Rugby player Matt, who was born in Australia, played for the national side from 2002 to 2011, when he went to play for Toulon amid one of the biggest scandals in sports history. Currently affiliated with Suntory Sungoliath, the professional player has contributed to the team’s victory in the domestic championship. He is the highest paid athlete in his nation and has a net worth of over $1 million.

12. Dan Biggar – £650,000

Upon joining Northampton, the outer half had a much-needed rejuvenation. Biggar has been playing for the Saints ever since, and his lucrative deal has made him the highest-paid rugby player in his native nation. His yearly salary is £655,000.

13. Manu Tuilagi – £560,000

Manu Tuilagi was one of the top players in the Rugby World Cup for Japan. About six months before to the competition, the creative midfield player turned down a hefty offer from Racing 92 to extend his contract with the Leicester Tigers for another year. At the moment, the crucial member of the English national team earns approximately £560,000 annually.

14. Nicholas Sanchez – €581,000 ($501,920) 

Nicholas Sanchez is a renowned playmaker from Argentina. His move to Stade Francais, a Top 14 team in Paris, made headlines and resulted in a substantial pay increase. At the moment, Sanchez leads the Argentine Pumas in scoring. Although he makes €581,000 year, not much is known about his present wealth.

15. Finn Russell – £535,000 

Renowned Scottish rugby player Finn Russell is another professional who was a member of the elite Racing 92 squad. In 2018, he left Glasgow Warriors and is still a top player in the Top 14 competition. Notably, the player made headlines during the 2020 Six Nations after he got into a fight with his teammates over alcohol. His salary hasn’t changed as a result, though, as he still makes a respectable £535,000.