Lions captain Maro Itoje included on list of 10 highest earning rugby players
Rugby NewsWednesday, 28 May 2025 at 07:47
Forget boot deals and post-match interviews — the real action is in the bank accounts. With global leagues opening their wallets wider than ever, the top end of rugby union has never looked so plush.
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And leading the financial charge? None other than Owen Farrell, who’s topped the charts in a newly released list from DashTickets.nz revealing the 10 highest-paid rugby union players on the planet.
Let’s count down the top 10 players absolutely smashing it in the pay packet department.
10. Antoine Dupont – £700,000
Country: France
Club: Toulouse
Bio: Widely regarded as the best scrum-half in the world, Dupont has led France’s resurgence with flair, speed, and game-breaking brilliance. Still based at Toulouse, though he's flirted with Olympic dreams and code-crossing hype.
Club: Toulouse
Bio: Widely regarded as the best scrum-half in the world, Dupont has led France’s resurgence with flair, speed, and game-breaking brilliance. Still based at Toulouse, though he's flirted with Olympic dreams and code-crossing hype.
9. Beauden Barrett – £780,000
Country: New Zealand
Club: Toyota Verblitz (Japan)
Bio: A two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, Barrett has brought his trademark pace and vision to Japan, trading the All Blacks jersey for yen — and a lighter playing schedule.
Club: Toyota Verblitz (Japan)
Bio: A two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, Barrett has brought his trademark pace and vision to Japan, trading the All Blacks jersey for yen — and a lighter playing schedule.
8. Maro Itoje – £800,000
Country: England
Club: Saracens
Bio: England’s cerebral enforcer in the second row, Itoje is a towering figure on and off the field. Still a Sarries man, he’s resisted the overseas cash — for now.
Club: Saracens
Bio: England’s cerebral enforcer in the second row, Itoje is a towering figure on and off the field. Still a Sarries man, he’s resisted the overseas cash — for now.
7. Dan Biggar – £800,000
Country: Wales
Club: Toulon
Bio: The fiery fly-half has been Wales’ heartbeat for years. Now in France, Biggar is blending his tactical nous with a southern French lifestyle — and a very healthy wage.
Club: Toulon
Bio: The fiery fly-half has been Wales’ heartbeat for years. Now in France, Biggar is blending his tactical nous with a southern French lifestyle — and a very healthy wage.
6. Siya Kolisi – £808,000
Country: South Africa
Club: Racing 92
Bio: South Africa’s World Cup-winning captain and national icon, Kolisi joined Racing 92 in 2023, becoming a global ambassador for the game — and a major financial player too.
Club: Racing 92
Bio: South Africa’s World Cup-winning captain and national icon, Kolisi joined Racing 92 in 2023, becoming a global ambassador for the game — and a major financial player too.
5. Faf de Klerk – £900,000
Country: South Africa
Club: Yokohama Canon Eagles (Japan)
Bio: The blonde bombshell of the Boks, Faf mixes explosive speed with grit. Japan rewarded his dynamism with a near-million-pound contract.
Club: Yokohama Canon Eagles (Japan)
Bio: The blonde bombshell of the Boks, Faf mixes explosive speed with grit. Japan rewarded his dynamism with a near-million-pound contract.
4. Cheslin Kolbe – £930,000
Country: South Africa
Club: Tokyo Sungoliath (Japan)
Bio: One of rugby’s most electrifying runners, Kolbe's dazzling footwork is matched by his paycheck in Japan. World Cup winner and human highlight reel.
Club: Tokyo Sungoliath (Japan)
Bio: One of rugby’s most electrifying runners, Kolbe's dazzling footwork is matched by his paycheck in Japan. World Cup winner and human highlight reel.
3. Finn Russell – £1,000,000
Country: Scotland
Club: Bath
Bio: The most unpredictable magician in rugby, Russell has brought his playmaking chaos to Bath. He’s now the UK’s highest-paid club player.
Club: Bath
Bio: The most unpredictable magician in rugby, Russell has brought his playmaking chaos to Bath. He’s now the UK’s highest-paid club player.
2. Richie Mo’unga – £1,040,000
Country: New Zealand
Club: Toshiba Brave Lupus (Japan)
Bio: A master technician at fly-half, Mo’unga swapped Super Rugby glory for the land of cherry blossoms — and a seven-figure deal.
Club: Toshiba Brave Lupus (Japan)
Bio: A master technician at fly-half, Mo’unga swapped Super Rugby glory for the land of cherry blossoms — and a seven-figure deal.
1. Owen Farrell – £1,200,000
Country: England
Club: Racing 92
Bio: England’s former captain made waves by leaving Saracens in 2024. Now the highest-paid player in world rugby, Farrell is cashing in big-time in Paris — though it’s come at the cost of his international eligibility. However, he could now be back on his way to Sarries according to latest reports.
Club: Racing 92
Bio: England’s former captain made waves by leaving Saracens in 2024. Now the highest-paid player in world rugby, Farrell is cashing in big-time in Paris — though it’s come at the cost of his international eligibility. However, he could now be back on his way to Sarries according to latest reports.
EDITORS PICKS:
- British & Irish Lions Captain Maro Itoje Marries Model in Stunning Ceremony
- Fin Smith suffers major setback ahead of the 2025 Lions tour
- Bristol Bears confirms 11 departures including England international
- England and Leicester legend Dan Cole confirms retirement
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players #2
If you’re over 30 and can’t name these iconic rugby stars from the 2000s, we have to ask: were you really paying attention? Back by popular demand, it’s time for part two of our nostalgic quiz.
From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!
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