Who are the ten highest-paid rugby players?
According to a report in The Rugby Player, Scottish Rugby Union player Finn Russell has been offered a lucrative contract offer worth over £1 million per season by Japanese club Green Rockets Tokatsu.
The current fly-half currently plays for French side Racing 92.
Were Scotland’s fly-half to make the switch, it would make him the current highest-paid rugby player on the planet.
Ever wondered who are the ten highest-paid rugby players in the world? Well here at SportsNewsIreland, we will find out.
Here are the reported ten highest-paid rugby players in the world.
Handre Pollard – £1 million
Pollard joined Piutau in the £1 million club after signing for French outfit Montpellier after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Becoming the joint-highest paid player in the world.
𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓: Handre Pollard doesn't feel pressure 🧊@Springboks | #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/nhNtdrQ8MV
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) August 11, 2021
Charles Piutau – £1 million
Widely reported to be the first player in British rugby to make £1 million. The New Zealand fullback has been with Bristol since 2018.
Eben Etzebeth – £900,000
Etzebeth is currently signed to a three-year deal with French side Toulon and with many rugby insiders reporting he is close to hitting the £1 million club.
Eben Etzebeth beating Sanchez in the air 🚀#RSAvARG #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/3mNreB9xMc
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 14, 2021
Finn Russell – £850,000
If reports are believed, Russell could become the highest-paid rugby player in the world if he agrees to join Japanese club Green Rockets Tokatsu.
The fly-half signed a three-year deal with Racing 92 last year, earning a reported £850,000.
Scotland stand-off Finn Russell linked with big-money move from Racing 92 to Japanese clubhttps://t.co/RTTWzeDqMf
— Scotsman Sport (@ScotsmanSport) August 15, 2021
Virimi Vakatawa – £780,000
According to reports in France in 2020, France international Vakatawa signed a valuable contract with Racing 92.
He now earns a whopping £780,000 a year.
Virimi Vakatawa and Jordan Joseph playing cheat code rugby 🤯 pic.twitter.com/s2JKtmSJ54
— House of Rugby (@HouseOfRugby) April 4, 2021
Beauden Barrett – £780,000
Back in 2019, Barrett penned a four-year deal with New Zealand Rugby Union, where he reportedly earned £540,000 per year.
After his time in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath in 2020, it was estimated Barrett took home £780,000.
Beauden Barrett's new role with the All Blacks isn't so new. #NZLvAUS https://t.co/K9kdJD2Aea
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 16, 2021
Maro Itoje – £750,000+
Rumours of the England and Saracens flanker being interested in joining French team Racing 92 last year, club president Jacky Lorenzetti admitted that the player demanded over €1 million to make the switch.
Numerous reports vary but it is thought that Itoje is earning £750,000.
It was a Man of the Match display from @maroitoje in the First Test 🤩
Send us a GIF to sum up that outstanding performance last month 🔥👇#LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #BoksvLions pic.twitter.com/pWgLATjClc
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) August 17, 2021
Michael Hooper – £750,000
The 29-year old Australian skipper signed a long-term contract with Rugby Australia in 2018, which saw him take home £3.2 million over 5 years.
During last season, he took time off in Japan and is reportedly earning over £750,000 with Toyota Verblitz.
This pretty much sums up Michael Hooper as a player.
Truly world-class. #NZLvAUS pic.twitter.com/0Zpan1Owiy
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 14, 2021
Owen Farrell – £750,000
England and Saracens captain Owen Farrell is coming towards the end of his current contract, with one year remaining.
He is reportedly has a massive salary and will be looking to negotiate a higher fee in the future.
Farrell, deferred over 90% of his current salary to help the club navigate through the financial burden during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lions great Gareth Davies on why Owen Farrell didn't see a Test start during the Lions series
How are England shaping up for the autumn?https://t.co/AyNcIpPUlh
— The Rugby Paper (@TheRugbyPaper) August 15, 2021
Steven Luatua – £650,000
The former All-Black decided to quit his international career to join English team, Bristol Bears, becoming an integral part of winning the European Challenge Cup in 2019-20.
Over the summer, there were rumblings over his contract situation with the Bears, however, it has been reported that the 30-year-old will stay on with the Bears until the end of the 2022/23 season.
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