Finn Russell drops to third as rugby’s six highest-paid players are ranked

The France superstar committed his future to the European giants in November 2025, signing an extension that will keep him at Stade Toulousain until 2031. Toulouse officially confirmed the length of the deal but did not disclose its financial terms.

Recent estimates have placed Dupont's overall playing package at around £1.2million per year, putting him ahead of some of rugby's other biggest earners, including Finn Russell, Romain Ntamack and Maro Itoje.

Exact rugby salaries are rarely made public, meaning the figures below should be treated as reported estimates rather than confirmed wages.

Here are six of the highest-paid players in the sport.

Club: Saitama Wild Knights
Country: South Africa

Double World Cup winner Damian de Allende remains one of Japan Rugby League One's biggest overseas stars.

The Springbok centre has represented Saitama Wild Knights since leaving Munster in 2022 and is reportedly earning around £790,000 per season.

Club: Saracens
Country: England

England star Maro Itoje remains one of the biggest earners in the PREM after signing a long-term contract with Saracens.

Itoje's overall earnings are further boosted by his agreement with the RFU, with his total package previously estimated at between £800,000 and £950,000.

Club: Kubota Spears
Country: South Africa

Springbok powerhouse Malcolm Marx is another of Japan's highest-paid imports.

The two-time World Cup winner has established himself as one of Kubota Spears' most important players and is reportedly earning in the region of £790,000 per year.

Club: Bath Rugby
Country: Scotland

Finn Russell has been one of the PREM's biggest earners since making the move from Racing 92 to Bath.

The Scotland and British & Irish Lions fly-half extended his stay at The Rec in 2025, with his latest contract keeping him at Bath until June 2028.

Russell's deal has been estimated at between £900,000 and £1million per season.

Club: Toulouse
Country: France

Remarkably, Toulouse could have the two highest-paid players in the sport.

France fly-half Romain Ntamack signed a five-year extension in 2022 and has subsequently been valued at around £900,000 to £1million per year, although the precise make-up of his package has not been publicly confirmed.

Club: Toulouse
Country: France

Sitting at the top is Antoine Dupont.

The France captain's latest Toulouse contract runs all the way through to 2031, potentially keeping him with the club for the remainder of his professional career.

Reports following his extension have valued his package at approximately £1.2million per season, which would make him the highest-paid player in professional rugby union.

Dupont's earning power does not stop there. French reports suggest his enormous commercial profile generates millions more through sponsorship and advertising deals.

With domestic titles, European Cups, a World Rugby Player of the Year award and Olympic gold already on his CV, Dupont has become arguably the most valuable individual player in the sport.