#7. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) – £480,000
Having risen through the Saints Academy ranks, Lawes continued to impress as Saints were promoted back to the Premiership – helping the side lift both the European Challenge Cup in 2009 and the LV= Cup in 2010.
A Heineken Champions Cup final followed for the lock in 2011 before Lawes’ instrumental performances helped Saints a double-winning season in 2014, with the side claiming their first ever Premiership title and a second Challenge Cup trophy within eight days of each other.
A player who provides a massive impact in either the back or second row, Lawes was named Player of the Season in 2019/20 by the Club’s supporters and has since reached 250 appearances in the Black, Green and Gold jersey, his milestone coming against Ulster in the Heineken Champions Cup in January 2022.
#6. Paddy Jackson (London Irish) – £500,000
Jackson joined London Irish from Top 14 side Perpignan ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Jackson scored over 600 points in 88 appearances in the Pro 12 for Irish province Ulster before signing for the French side.
Before the 2020/21 season, Paddy was named one of the Club captains and went on to pass 300 points scored for London Irish in the same campaign.
#5. George Ford (Sale Sharks) – £550,000
Ford joined Sale Sharks on a long-term contract ahead of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership just weeks after helping Leicester Tigers to the Premiership title.
#4. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) – £580,000
Exeter’s marquee signing ahead of the 2019/20 season, big things were certainly expected of the two-time British & Irish Lions tourist and back-to-back RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship winner (2016 and 2017).
Arriving in Devon after nine years with Glasgow Warriors, Hogg quickly settled into his new surroundings, proving an instant hit – both on and off the field – with his new club.
