The Highest Paid Rugby Players In 2025 As Six Nations Stars Make Top Ten List

We’re revealing the highest-paid rugby players in 2025 as a number of Six Nations stars make this year’s top ten.

Rugby Union may not be able to offer the same astronomical salaries as those paid to footballers or NFL stars, but the top earners still take home a massive wage.

Rising salary caps, bigger sponsorship deals and outside investment have all driven up earnings in recent years.

Now, some players have signed contracts worth upwards of £1 million a year for the first time.

Below, we reveal who the top ten highest-paid rugby players are in 2025.

These figures are based on reported salaries offered by the player’s club.

Top Ten Highest Paid Rugby Players In 2025

1. Owen Farrell – £1.2 million

Former England skipper Owen Farrell was a top earner at Saracens. But his move last summer to French club Racing 92 has seen him become the highest paid rugby player in the world.

According to reports, Farrell is now taking home a whopping £1.2m per year while playing in the French capital.

2. Finn Russell – £1 million

Scotland’s maverick number ten, Finn Russell broke the record and was the top earner in world rugby when he signed for Bath ahead of last season.

As the Premiership club’s designated ‘marquee player’, Bath were able to offer him a huge sum, which does not count towards the salary cap.

Taking home around £1m, he’s since dropped to second place following Farrell’s move to Racing.

3. Cheslin Kolbe – £930,000

The Japanese league is fast becoming an easy way for top global talent to earn big money.

With rugby growing rapidly, Japanese clubs are offering rugby megastars enormous fees to play in their top division.

South Africa’s double World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe is the top earner in Japan. He is believed to be on £930,000 per year at Suntory Sungoliath.

4. Faf De Klerk – £900,000

Joining Kolbe in Japan is Springboks teammate Faf de Klerk. The scrum-half left English side Sale Sharks recently, and is now reportedly on £900,000 while playing for the Yokohama Canon Eagles.

5. Siya Kolisi – £800,000

A third Saffa in a row on this list, Siya Kolisi has actually taken a pay cut recently.

The Springboks captain was Racing 92’s highest paid player before Owen Farrell joined, earning about £850,000.

But having moved back to South Africa after a public fallout with Racing, he is now thought to be on £800,000 at the Sharks.

6. Dan Biggar – £800,000

Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar has taken a huge payday to join French giants Toulon.

The two-time Lions tourist is estimated to be on £800,000, putting him level with Kolisi for earnings.

7. Maro Itoje – £800,000

Now captaining the Red Rose, Maro Itoje is the highest paid rugby player in the English Premiership that isn’t listed as a ‘marquee player’.

The Saracens lock is said to earn £800,000 on his current deal – matching what former teammate Owen Farrell earned at the club.

8. Antoine Dupont – £700,000

French skipper Antoine Dupont is now discussed as possibly the greatest player of all time.

A product of the Toulouse academy, he is the club’s top earner at £700,000.

9. Steven Luatua – £620,000

Samoan back rower Steven Luatua earns a reported £620,000 a year while playing for Bristol Bears in the English Premiership.

Born in New Zealand, he is thought to be on more money than any All Black takes home.

10. Handre Pollard – £610,000

Another high-earning South African, Handre Pollard is actually believed to have taken a pay cut in order to join Leicester Tigers in England.

Like Finn Russell, the fly-half’s wage is outside the salary cap due to his ‘marquee’ status, which allows the Tigers to pay him upwards of £600,000 per year.