"£30k per point" - Five Most Overpaid Rugby Players in the world (2025)

Tuesday, 02 September 2025 at 10:26

byRugby Rucker

Rugby’s global boom has seen salaries skyrocket, with clubs paying top dollar for star names in hopes of instant success.

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But big-money contracts don’t always translate to big on-field impact. From Europe to Japan, some of the world’s most celebrated players delivered surprisingly modest returns in 2024/25, leaving fans and clubs questioning whether the investment was worth it.

Here’s a look at the five most overpaid rugby players of the season, measured not just by reputation, but by minutes played, points scored, and cost per contribution.

5. Marcus Smith (Harlequins) – £600,000

The young England fly-half earned a sizeable £600,000 for the 2024/25 season at Harlequins, yet his performances didn’t always justify the price tag. Smith played 1,351 minutes across 18 matches—966 in the Premiership and 385 in the Champions Cup—scoring a total of 45 points.

£ per minute: £444
£ per point: £13,333

While Smith showed flashes of his well-known skill and creativity, inconsistency and limited impact in key moments meant that his high salary did not always match his on-field returns.

4. Dan Biggar (Toulon) – £800,000

The veteran Welsh fly-half retired at the end of the 2024/25 season, having been his country’s highest-paid player while at Toulon. However, his time in the south of France largely failed to justify such a salary. A combination of injuries and reported clashes with the club’s top brass limited his impact, making his tenure forgettable.

Biggar played 1,512 minutes across all competitions, scoring 74 points.

£ per minute: £529
£ per point: £10,811

For a player commanding such a high salary, these returns were modest, highlighting a clear case of overpayment during his final professional season.

3. Michael Hooper (Toyota Verblitz) – £580,000

The Wallabies legend continues his career in Japan, commanding a hefty £580,000 salary that reflects his international pedigree. However, his 2024/25 season didn’t match the investment.

Hooper played 501 minutes across 8 matches, starting just 2, and scored only 5 points.

£ per minute: £1,158
£ per point: £116,000

Even for a player of his reputation, these returns highlight a clear gap between salary and performance. His season is a reminder that big-name signings don’t always deliver, particularly when game time is limited.

2. Owen Farrell (Racing 92) – £1.2 million

Owen Farrell’s one-season stint in Paris was another cautionary tale. Despite earning £1.2 million, the England star delivered limited impact before returning to Saracens on a multi-year deal.

Across all competitions, Farrell played 984 minutes and scored 41 points.

£ per minute: £1,220
£ per point: £29,268

For a player of Farrell’s calibre, such returns underline the steep cost of underperformance.

1. Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – £900,000

Known for his fiery style and relentless work rate, Faf de Klerk continues to cash in on his global appeal in Japan’s top division. However, his 2024/25 season fell short of justifying his hefty salary.

De Klerk played 669 minutes across 11 matches, starting 5, and scored only 5 points.

£ per minute: £1,345
£ per point: £180,000

While his reputation as a dynamic scrum-half is unquestioned, the stats reveal a season where high pay did not equate to high output. His campaign serves as a stark reminder that star power and salary alone cannot guarantee impact, especially in leagues where adaptation and consistent minutes are crucial.

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