Here, we look at five of the highest-paid British players in world rugby and where England second-row Maro Itoje ranks...
5. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/Ireland) - £536,000
Happy back at Leinster and being “looked after” in terms of money and the number of matches in which he plays by the Irish Rugby Union. It will likely be his final contract with the Irish province before he retires or pursue a big money move to Japan.
4. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints/Wales) – £600,000
Wales’ ‘Governor’ was a catalyst for the Ospreys, being a superb club man and racking up a points record. But he decided to sample life “outside the goldfish bowl” of Wales with a big money offer enticing him to Northampton Saints.
3. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England) – £750k
Farrell will remain at the club that he has called ‘home’ since the age of 14 until at least 2022, earning himself a hefty pay-rise in the process. His new deal means he will now earn in excess of £750,000 a season, bringing him in line with some of the highest-paid players in the world.
2. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) - £825,000
Signed a new deal last year that was reportedly between £750,000 and £1 million. He’s one of the
front runners to captain the Lions
next year and is widely regarded as the best lock in the world, with the salary to match.
1. Finn Russell (Racing 92/Scotland) - £850,000
A h
uge pay-rise from the Parisians in 2020 convinced the fly-half to stay with Russell now reportedly earning £850,000 per season for the next three years, which makes him the highest-paid British rugby player.