Every Prem Rugby Club’s Marquee Player — and Their Salaries

These are the marquee players: athletes who combine exceptional talent, influence, and star power. Here’s a look at each club’s marquee man for the 2025–26 season.

Clubs never actually name their marquee men — but let’s be honest, it’s usually the top earner whose wages don’t touch the salary cap. Here’s who we reckon each side has moved heaven and earth to keep.

*Salaries are also estimated and based upon reports

Few players in world rugby embody flair and unpredictability quite like Finn Russell. The Scottish playmaker is not just Bath’s standout name — he’s arguably the marquee player of the entire Premiership.

Bath boss Johann van Graan has described him as “a genius who hits a target nobody else can see.” Often dubbed “the Messi of rugby,” Russell’s combination of creativity and vision makes him a genuine superstar both on and off the pitch.

At Leicester, Ollie Chessum represents the heart and soul of Tigers rugby. The England international, recently appointed club captain for the 2025–26 season, is as tough and dependable as they come.

While others might grab headlines for flair, Chessum’s all-action consistency has made him indispensable — and his selection for all three British & Irish Lions Tests this summer underlined his class. In many ways, he embodies the Tigers ethos: no fuss, just elite-level rugby and relentless commitment.

Back home in the North West, George Ford has cemented his place as the face of Sale Sharks. Having signed a bumper new three-year deal despite overseas interest, Ford’s loyalty to the club he grew up near says everything about his connection to Sale.

Since returning from injury to lead the team to a Premiership final, his tactical intelligence and coolness under pressure have made him one of the game’s most admired minds. With 44 appearances and 341 points for the Sharks, Ford is both their on-field general and their marquee attraction at the Corpacq Stadium.

The Bears have no shortage of big names, but Louis Rees-Zammit brings something different — star power that fills seats. While local hero Ellis Genge is the beating heart of Bristol’s pack, Rees-Zammit’s electric pace and international pedigree make him the kind of player fans turn up specifically to watch. His presence injects excitement into every fixture, embodying the very essence of a marquee signing: a player whose flair and speed can change games — and sell out stadiums.

There’s simply no separating Maro Itoje from Saracens. A serial winner, Itoje has lifted five Premiership titles and three European crowns with the club, while also starring in three Lions tours and earning over 100 international caps.

Known for his leadership, athleticism, and unrelenting standards, he remains the ultimate symbol of Sarries’ sustained excellence. While Owen Farrell’s influence looms large, Itoje is now the defining face of Saracens rugby — their true marquee man.

The Cherry and Whites have rediscovered their swagger in recent seasons, and Tomos Williams has been at the centre of it all. The Welsh scrum-half joined Gloucester ahead of the 2024–25 campaign and immediately made his mark, claiming the Premiership Rugby Player of the Season award after a sensational debut year.

His sharpness and tempo epitomise the club’s attacking style, and his appointment as captain for the new season underlines just how pivotal he has become to the Kingsholm faithful.

Few players in English rugby captivate audiences quite like Marcus Smith. Quins’ talisman is the embodiment of their attacking DNA — quick, instinctive, and fearless. His return from international duty this season saw him immediately steal the show with a match-winning try and man-of-the-match performance against Saracens.

A Lions tourist and one of the most technically gifted playmakers in the country, Smith doesn’t just play for Quins — he is Quins. When he’s on the team sheet, The Stoop buzzes that little bit louder.

Fresh off signing a bumper new deal, Smith has likely become Northampton’s first marquee player since Courtney Lawes.

With Newcastle Red Bulls, Bristol Bears, and R360 all circling, Saints had to pull out every stop to keep their playmaker at Franklin’s Gardens — and it’s clear they’ve backed their man to lead the club for years to come.

At Sandy Park, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso represents the next generation of marquee stars. The explosive winger’s mix of pace, power, and agility makes him one of the Premiership’s most exciting young talents.

After battling back from a shoulder injury, he announced his return in style — scoring twice in a stunning comeback draw against Northampton and following up with a hat-trick against Newcastle. Dynamic and determined, Feyi-Waboso’s performances have quickly restored him as the jewel in the Chiefs’ crown.

Newcastle are still searching for a world-class fly-half and, for now, probably don’t have an official marquee player. The closest fit is Welsh superstar Liam Williams, who’s signed on a one-year deal to spearhead the Red Bulls’ new era.

Backed by fresh investment, his arrival gives fans a proven international to rally behind. The experienced fullback’s versatility and leadership make him vital during this transition period — and until fresh faces like Christian Wade arrive, Williams stands tall as the marquee name in the North East.