Gloucester were reportedly leading the race to sign France international powerhouse Virimi Vakatawa, but have been left gutted by his decision to instead sign a new deal with Racing 92.
The 28-year-old was set to be out of contract next summer, and had reportedly tasked his agent with securing him a move to England.
However, money talked as the Fijian-born star has now signed a new deal worth over £780,000 per season, according to reports in France.
Vakatawa, who has 27 caps for France, was the top scorer in the Top 14 in 2019/20.
He joins Dorian Laborde, Gia Kharaishvili, Dominic Bird, Boris Palu, Olivier Klemenczak and Finn Russell, who have also signed contract extensions in recent weeks.
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REVEALED | Best Paid XV, Replacements & Head Coach in World Rugby
The highest earning rugby players XV, replacements and head coach from all over the world is as follows...
BACK-THREE
Fullback: Beauden Barrett (Suntory Goliath) - £780,000
In July, he agreed a multi-million dollar move to Suntory Sungoliath as the exodus of players to Japan continues.
Wing: Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) – £550,000
The Scotland fullback was the highest paid player at Glasgow Warriors (£350,000) but added another healthy chunk to his pay-packet by joining the Premiership side after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Winger: Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears) – £1m
The former All Black full-back or wing, who surprised many by leaving New Zealand before reaching the peak of his powers, becoming British rugby’s first million pound man when he moved to Ashton Gate in 2018.
CENTRES
Outside-centre: Virimi Vakatawa – £780,000
Virimi Vakatawa of France runs with ball watched by Joe Marler of England during the RBS 6 Nations match, between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 4th February 2017.
Inside-centre: Owen Farrell (Saracens) – £750,000
He a points-machine with England and Saracens, and the outside-half or inside-centre is one of England’s best paid players.
HALF-BACKS
Fly-half: Handre Pollard (Montpellier) – £1m
The Springbok reportedly tripled his salary when he departed the Bulls to join Top 14 side Montpellier in 2019.
Scrum-half: Morgan Parra (Clermont) – £560,000
The France scrum-half, despite falling out of international contention, still has a huge contract that he signed three years ago. The deal is set to expire in 2021
FRONT-ROW
Loosehead-prop: Mako Vunipola (Saracens) – £450,000
Props are the worst paid position, but, for now anyway, Mako still earns decent money from Saracens. It’s thought the relentless scrummager is one of the players they want to hang onto despite their relegation.
Hooker: Guilhem Guirado (Montpellier) – £500,000
The former France captain may be passed his best but is still earning good money on his contract with Montpellier.
Tighthead-prop: Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) – £480,000
The Ireland and Lions juggernaut will be replaced in this team by Kyle Sinckler when the England powerhouse joins Bristol on a huge contract in the summer, but for now keeps his place.
SECOND-ROW
Lock: Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) - £1m
Lock: Maro Itoje (Saracens) – £800,000
According to RugbyPass his salary is somewhere in the region of £750,000 to £1 million – making him England’s highest paid player.
BACK-ROW
Blindside-flanker: Steve Luatua (Bristol Bears) – £650,000
Didn’t make any friends within the All Blacks hierarchy when he decided to cash in on his extreme rugby talent, signing for Bristol. Has since signed a contract extension.
Openside-flanker: Michael Hooper (Toyota Verblitz) - £750,000
The Wallabies captain accepted a shock move to Japan to play with Toyota Verblitz, which saw the back-rower increase his salary from around £500k to £750k..
Number 8: Sergio Parisse (Toulon) – £500,000
The veteran continues to be the highest -paid number 8 after signing another one-year extension with Toulon.
HEAD COACH
Pat Lam (Bristol Bears) - £800,000
The former Newcastle, Northampton and Samoa back-row will remain at Ashton Gate until at least 2023 after signing a bumper contract extension in 2019. The 50-year-old, as a result, became the highest paid rugby boss in the world.
REPLACEMENTS:
- Mako Vunipola (Saracens) - £420,000
- Dane Coles (Hurricanes) - £500,000
- Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears) - £400,000
- Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks) - £500,000
- Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) - £450,000
- Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby) – £475,000
- Nicolas Sanchez (Montpellier) - £580,000
- Semi Radradra (Bristol Bears) - £750,000
