World’s most expensive XV - highest paid player every position
Rugby NewsTuesday, 04 February 2020 at 15:34
Fans have always been interested in how much professional rugby players earn, but the fascination has grown significantly since the game turned professional in the 1990's, as salaries have skyrocketed.
If you want to know exactly how much top-earning players at each rugby position will make in 2019-20, check out below.
Fullback: Matt Giteau (Suntory Sungoliath) - £1.1m
Money doesn’t seem to be an object in Japan with the country’s top clubs being company enterprises. Former Australia wizard Giteau, who bagged big money while he was at Toulon, is building up his pension fund with Suntory Sungoliath
Winger: Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) - £550,000
The Scotland fullback was the highest paid player at Glasgow Warriors (£350,000) but added another healthy chunk to his pay-packet by joining the Premiership side after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Outside-centre: Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) - £550,000
The powerhouse centre signed a contract extension early in 2019, believed to be around a 25 per cent increase on his previous £450,000-a-year deal that will net him more than £1m over the next two seasons, to see him stay at Welford Road until the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
Inside-centre: Owen Farrell (Saracens) - £750,000
He a points-machine with England and Saracens, and the outside-half or inside-centre is one of England's best paid players.
Winger: 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, becoming British rugby’s first million pound man when he moved to Ashton Gate in 2018.
Fly-half: Handre Pollard (Montpellier) - £1m
The Springbok reportedly tripled his salary when he departed the Bulls to join Top 14 side Montpellier earlier this year.
Scrum-half: Rhys Webb (Toulon) - £550,000
Despite being told he won't play for the French club again, the scrum-half is still set to collect his handsome pay-packet until the end of the season when he returns to Wales.
Loosehead-prop: Mako Vunipola (Saracens) - £450,000
Props are the worst paid position, but, for now anyway, Mako still earns decent money from Saracens. It's thought the relentless scrummager is one of the players they want to hang onto despite their relegation.
Hooker: Guilhem Guirado (Montpellier) - £500,000
The former France captain may be passed his best but is still earning good money on his contract with Montpellier.
Tighthead-prop: Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) - £480,000
The Ireland and Lions juggernaut will be replaced in this team by Kyle Sinckler when the England powerhouse joins Bristol on a huge contract in the summer, but for now keeps his place.
Lock: Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) - £850,000
Lock: Maro Itoje (Saracens) - £800,000
According to RugbyPass his new salary is somewhere in the region of £750,000 to £1 million – making him England’s highest paid player.
Blindside-flanker: Steve Luatua (Bristol Bears) - £650,000
Didn't make any friends within the All Blacks hierarchy when he decided to cash in on his extreme rugby talent, signing for Bristol. Has since signed a contract extension.
Openside-flanker: Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs) - £572,000
Number 8: Kieran Read (Toyota Verblitz) - £520,000
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