"Owen Farrell second" - England rugby's highest earners (Ranked 5-1)

From established stars to emerging names, we explore what top-level performance is really worth in the modern game of English rugby today.

One of the fastest-rising earners in the Prem, the Northampton Saints fly-half is now reportedly on around £600,000 per year after signing a major new deal in late 2025. When his England EPS contract is added, worth an estimated £150,000, his total annual income is believed to push beyond £750,000.

The financial rise has mirrored his progress on the international stage. Selected for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, Smith later made history by becoming the first Lion whose grandfather had also represented the famous side when he played against Argentina in June.

Few players in the Prem combine star power and earning potential quite like Harlequins’ playmaker. Reports from late 2024 suggest a total package of around £760,000 per year, made up of a £600,000 club salary (contracted through to 2028) and approximately £160,000 from his England RFU central deal.

At the very top of the game, Smith has already built an impressive Lions résumé. He debuted on the 2021 tour, producing a standout performance against the Stormers, and was again selected for the 2025 tour to Australia, contributing as the Lions went on to secure a 2–1 series victory.

Loyalty over maximum earnings has defined the latest chapter of Sale’s midfield general. Although Ford was reportedly offered close to £1 million per season by breakaway outfit R360, he chose to remain in Manchester by signing a new deal. While exact figures remain private, his pay is believed to sit just below the seven-figure mark, particularly when combined with his England EPS income.

That valuation reflects a career built on longevity and success. A prodigy who made his professional debut at just 16, Ford was named World Rugby Junior Player of the Year in 2011, has appeared in five Premiership finals, and lifted titles in 2013 and 2022. He has also featured in three Rugby World Cups for England.

Even after returning from France, few players in the Prem can rival Farrell’s earning power. During his season with Racing 92, his salary was widely reported at around £1.2 million per year, placing him among the highest-paid rugby players in the world. While his current Saracens deal is likely slightly lower, it is still believed to be near the top end of domestic contracts.

Leadership and consistency have long defined his career. England captain from 2018 to 2023, Farrell has amassed over 1,200 international points across more than 100 Test matches, holding scoring records for both England and Saracens. Whether operating at fly-half or inside centre, his influence continues to command elite-level pay.

At the very top of the Prem’s salary ladder sits Saracens’ talismanic forward. Itoje is reported to earn around £800,000 per year, with some sources suggesting his overall package could approach £1 million when RFU hybrid arrangements and strong overseas interest are taken into account.

On the field, his stature is unmatched. The current England captain and most recent leader of the British & Irish Lions, Itoje has won five Premiership titles and three European crowns since turning professional in 2012. Having reached 100 international caps in 2025, his combination of durability, dominance and leadership makes him not only the Prem’s highest-paid player, but arguably its most influential.