LIST: London Irish Move Puts Sean O'Brien Among Premiership's Highest-Paid Players

Wednesday, 08 May 2019 at 14:13

bySteven Smith

Highest paid rugby player in the Gallagher Premiership, who is he?

6. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) - £460,000

On a pound for pound basis, this must be the craziest contract of the lot with the England centre’s appearances for club Leicester and country sporadic through a variety of ailments.

Manu Tuilagi of England surges forward amid the presence of Tommaso Allan of Italy during the Guinness Six Nations Round Four match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 9th March 2019. Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.

5. Maro Itoje (Saracens) - £500,000

The Lions and Saracens lock is regarded as a poster boy of English rugby but is also a top player with his ability rewarded in his pay.

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4. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) - £600,000

Wales’ ‘Governor’ was a catalyst for the Ospreys, being a superb club man and racking up a points record. But he decided to sample life “outside the goldfish bowl” of Wales with a big money offer enticing him to Northampton Saints.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Dan Biggar of Wales kicks a penalty during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on September 26, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

3. Steven Luatua (Bristol Bears) - £650,000

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen bristled when Luatua left for Bristol because he was in line to eventually take over from Kieran Read at No.8.

Mascots with Steve Luatua, Captain of Bristol Bears during the Gallagher Premiership Match between Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints at Ashton Gate, Bristol on September 29. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK - Rugby

2. Owen Farrell (Saracens) - £750,000

Farrell will remain at the club that he has called ‘home’ since the age of 14 until at least 2022, earning himself a hefty pay-rise in the process. His new deal means he will now earn in excess of £750,000 a season, bringing him in line with some of the highest paid players in the world.

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Owen Farrell, Captain of England Rugby gets very vocal during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 16th March 2019. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK.

1. Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears) - £1m

The former All Black full-back or wing, who surprised many by leaving New Zealand before reaching the peak of his powers, has allegedly become British rugby’s first million pound man.

of Bristol Bears poses for a portrait during the Bristol Bears squad photo call for the 2018-19 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season at Ashton Gate on August 15, 2018 in Bristol, England.

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