From Tokyo to Toulon, rugby’s biggest names are raking in seven-figure salaries in 2025. With clubs in France, Japan, and England splashing serious cash, these are the top 10 highest-paid players in the game right now.
1. Owen Farrell – £1.2 million
Club: Racing 92 (France)
Country: England
Farrell tops the list after his headline move to Racing 92. The England captain is not just a leader on the pitch—he’s now the highest-paid rugby player in the world.
2. Finn Russell – £1 million
Club: Bath Rugby (England)
Country: Scotland
Scotland’s maestro at fly-half takes home a cool million a year. His arrival at Bath after the 2023 World Cup set a new standard in Premiership contracts.
3. Cheslin Kolbe – £930,000
Club: Tokyo Sungoliath (Japan)
Country: South Africa
The electric winger brings his step and sparkle to Japan, where he’s League One’s top earner.
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4. Faf de Klerk – £900,000
Club: Yokohama Canon Eagles (Japan)
Country: South Africa
Faf’s dynamic playstyle and global popularity keep him among the best-paid players in the Japanese league.
5. Dan Biggar – £800,000
Club: Toulon (France)
Country: Wales
Still Wales’ top earner, Biggar remains a key man at Toulon as he nears retirement from the professional game.
6. Maro Itoje – £800,000
Club: Saracens (England)
Country: England
A dominant force in England’s forward pack, Itoje’s salary reflects both his on-field impact and off-field marketability.
7. Siya Kolisi – £775,000
Club: Hollywoodbets Sharks (South Africa)
Country: South Africa
The Springboks skipper earns top dollar at home thanks to his World Cup legacy and leadership credentials.
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8. Antoine Dupont – £700,000
Club: Toulouse (France)
Country: France
Arguably the best scrum-half in the world, Dupont is vital to Toulouse’s ambitions and well compensated for it.
9. Steven Luatua – £620,000
Club: Bristol Bears (England)
Country: Samoa
Luatua might fly under the radar globally, but he’s a cornerstone of Bristol’s forward pack—and paid accordingly.
10. Handré Pollard – £610,000
Club: Leicester Tigers (England)
Country: South Africa
Pollard remains among the top-paid fly-halves, despite taking a pay cut to return to the Premiership.
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