Barrett, Itoje and Kolbe: What is the best-paid XV in world rugby?

Fullback: Beauden Barrett (Suntory Sungoliath) - £780k: On his year out in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath last year, the Daily Mail reports Barrett earned £780,000.

Winger: Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears) - £1m: For some time, the Kiwi has been reported to be earning £1million at Bristol Bears and he became the first player in British rugby to do so.

Winger: Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) - £850k: The speedster hit the financial jackpot with his summer switch from Toulouse to Top 14 rivals Toulon. He now warns an annual salary of €1million after they buy out the remainder of his contract from the recent league/Champions Cup double winners.

Outside-centre: Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92) - £750k: Last year, Les Bleus' centre signed a huge contract with Racing 92, according to reports in France.

Inside-centre: Owen Farrell (Saracens) - £700k: The England skipper is heading into the final year of his contract at Saracens and is reported to be earning a substantial amount of money on his current deal.

Fly-half: Handre Pollard (Montpellier) - £1m: He moved alongside Piutau as the joint-highest paid player on the planet when he signed for Montpellier after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Scrum-half: Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks) - £600k: Last year, The New Zealand Herald reported that the Springboks scrum-half had secured himself a sizeable salary when he signed a contract extension with Sale.

Hooker: Guilhem Guirado (Montpellier) - £500k: The former France captain may be in the twilight years of his career but is still said to be earning good money at Montpellier. The hooker has revealed that next season will likely be his last.

Lock: Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) - £900k: The Springbok enforcer is in the midst of a three-year deal in the south of France and is widely reported to be earning just shy of £1million.

Lock: Maro Itoje (Saracens) - £750k: Exact figures on the England stares current salary at Saracens vary but it is widely reported that he is bringing home in excess of £750,000.

Blindside-flanker: Steve Luatua (Bristol Bears) - £650k: The former All Black gave up his international career to join Bristol Bears and became an integral part of the club's journey.

Openside flanker: Michael Hooper (Toyota Verblitz) - £750k: Last season he took a sabbatical in Japan and is reported to have been earning £750,000 with Toyota Verblitz.