Dan Biggar overtakes Owen Farrell in list of highest-paid rugby players
Rugby NewsFriday, 04 November 2022 at 15:14
Wales superstar fly-half Dan Biggar has overtaken Owen Farrell to become one of the highest-paid rugby players in the world.
The 33-year-old made the last of his 69 Northampton appearances in their league win against Wasps in early October.
"I never envisaged leaving Saints midway through the season, but this opportunity came around very quickly," Biggar said.
"I made my decision with a long-term view in mind for my family."
Saints’ Chief Executive, Mark Darbon, added: “Given the circumstances – with Dan’s contract ending at the end of the season, his availability for the rest of the current campaign, the multi-year offer to Dan from Toulon which was contingent on him moving immediately, and the quality of the up-and-coming fly-halves already at the Club – we wanted to be pragmatic when Dan approached us.
“Dan’s not just a world-class player, he’s also one of the nicest blokes you could meet. He’s someone who always did everything he could to help the Club, on and off the pitch. So, we’ll miss him, but he departs with our very best wishes.”
Dan Biggar facts:
- Biggar has twice been selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions (2017 & 2021)
- On 7 December 2015, Biggar won the BBC Cymru Sports Personality of the Year Award
- Biggar came through the Ospreys development pathway, having attended Gowerton Comprehensive School in Swansea
- The fly-half has his own routine before kicking goals, which fans now call “The Biggarena” after Los Del Rio’s 1995 hit, Macarena
Eight highest-paid rugby players 2022
#7=. Owen Farrell (Saracens) - £750k
The England skipper is heading into the final year of his contract at Saracens and is reported to be earning a substantial amount of money on his current deal with a number of unknown bonuses thought to be included.
#9=. Michael Hooper (Toyota Verblitz) - £750k
Last season he took a sabbatical in Japan and is reported to have been earning £750,000 with Toyota Verblitz.
Michael Hooper of Australia has try disallowed under pressure from Chris Robshaw of England during the Old Mutual Wealth Series match, between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 18th November 2017.(Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)
#6. Beauden Barrett (Suntory Sungoliath) - £780k
On his year out in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath last year, the Daily Mail reports Barrett earned £780,000.
#4=. Dan Biggar (Toulon) - £800k
The Welsh playmaker has joined French club Toulon with immediate effect from Northampton Saints at the players request.
#4=. Maro Itoje (Saracens) - £800k
When Itoje was rumoured to be interested in joining Racing 92 last year, club president Jacky Lorenzetti let slip that the lock wanted €1million for the deal to go through.
Exact figures on Itoje's current salary at Saracens vary but it is widely reported that he is bringing home in excess of £800,000.
#2=. Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) - £850k
The speedster hit the financial jackpot with his summer switch from Toulouse to Top 14 rivals Toulon. He now warns an annual salary of €1million after they buy out the remainder of his contract from the recent league/Champions Cup double winners.
#2=. Finn Russell (Racing 92) - £850k
The talented fly-half signed a new three-year deal with Racing 92 last year. The Rugby Paper report he is earning as much as £850,000 with the Paris-based club.
#1=. Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears) - £1m
For some time, the speedstee has been reported to be earning £1m at Bristol Bears and he became the first player in British rugby to do so when he joined the club from Ulster.
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