REVEALED: The 5 Highest Paid Players In World Rugby In 2022

Sunday, 13 March 2022 at 13:05

byRugby Rucker

The top five earning players in world rugby for 2022 have been revealed - with Handre Pollard astonishingly earning more than double the amount of Marcus Smith.

World Player of the Year also misses out on the list, earning a reportedly £325k less than the player in fifth.

RUCK here takes a look at the world's five highest-paid players, in club rugby:

Highest Paid Players In World Rugby In 2022

#5. Maro Itoje

Club: Saracens
Salary: £825k

When Itoje was rumoured to be interested in joining Racing 92 last year, club president Jacky Lorenzetti let slip that the lock wanted €1million for the deal to go through. Reports indicate he earns between £800k and £850k from Sarries.

Maro Itoje of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK

#4. Finn Russell

Club: Racing 92
Salary: £850k

The talented fly-half Scotland signed a new three-year deal with Racing 92 last year. The Rugby Paper report he is earning as much as £850,000.

#3. Eben Etzebeth

Club: Toulon
Salary: £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.

Eben Etzebeth of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

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#2. Charles Piutau

Club: Bristol Bears
Salary: £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. Out of contract this summer, he may find himself sliding down the list as a reduced salary cap comes into play in the Premiership.

Charles Piutau of Bristol Bears on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Bristol Bears at Kingsholm Stadium on December 3 2021 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

#1. Handre Pollard

Club: Montpellier
Salary: £1m

The Springbok fly-half moved alongside Piutau as the joint-highest paid player on the planet when he signed for Montpellier after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Pollard will slide down the later this year after agreeing on a £600,000 per season move to Leicester Tigers.

Handre Pollard of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK