Ahead of this year's Rugby World Cup, we look at who should be each countries best player based on their pay packet.
POOL A:
Ireland: Johnny Sexton - £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.
Johnny Sexton of Ireland celebrates after the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)
Scotland: Finn Russell - £535,000
Has doubled his money by succeeding Carter at Racing 92 after switching from Glasgow Warriors with the Scottish Rugby Union unable to come anywhere near matching the money he was offered to cross the English Channel.
Japan: Ayumu Goromaru - £650,000
For a while, the highest-earning rugby player in the world during his stints with Toulon and Queensland Reds, the fullback is still making big money back in Japan where he plays for Yamaha Júbilo.
Russia: Andrei Ostrikov - £75,000
He's leaving Sale, but has had a fantastic seven years at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Samoa: Tim Nanai-Williams - £150,000
The versatile back signed a bumper three-year contract with French champions Clermont Auvergne in December 2017.
POOL B:
New Zealand: Dan Carter – £1,100,000
Dan the man was reported to be on £1.4m a year with Racing 92 and has had to take a pay cut after agreeing to join Japanese club Kobe Steelers. Despite not going to the World Cup, he remains the highest paid Kiwi player in the world.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Dan Carter of the New Zealand All Blacks kicks a penalty during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on October 31, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
South Africa: Handre Pollard - £1,000,000
The Springbok reportedly tripled his salary when he departed the Bulls to join Top 14 side Montpellier earlier this year.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Handre Pollard of South Africa kicks at goal during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Italy: Sergio Parisse - £500,000
Italy’s captain has been a star for more years than most can remember and continues to be paid big money for his services at No.8 by Toulon despite being in the latter stages of an illustrious career.
Canada: D.T.H van der Merwe - £50,000
The speedster remains their highest paid player, turning out for Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness PRO14.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26 : DTH Van Der Merwe of Canada breaks free of the Italian defence to score a try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Italy and Canada at Elland Road on September 26, 2015 in Leeds England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Namibia: Renaldo Bothma - £45,000
Earning his money with Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership.
POOL C:
Argentina : Nicolas Sanchez - £581,000
Argentina’s No.10 play-maker has been lured from home and the Jaguares Super Rugby franchise by a massive deal to sign for Stade Francais.
CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 18: Nicolas Sanchez of Argentina celebrates victory after the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between Ireland and Argentina at Millennium Stadium on October 18, 2015 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
England: Owen Farrell - £750,000
He signed a long-term contract extension with Saracens earlier this year, which saw him surpass Maro Itoje and Manu Tuilagi to become England's highest earning individual.
Dejected looking Owen Farrell, Captain of England Rugby after the Guinness Six Nations Championship match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
France: Morgan Parra - £570,000
The Clermont Auvergne scrum-half star is a precious commodity in France because he’s also a top-class goal-kicker and is a hugely popular figure with the country's rugby watchers.
France's Morgan Parra - Photo mandatory by-line:Graeme Truby/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 26/02/2011 - SPORT - RBS SIX NATIONS RUGBY - RUGBY - England v France, Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London, England
USA: AJ MacGinty - £120,000
His influential performances saw him rewarded with a bumper new contract in 2018, making him the highest paid USA player in the world right now.
Sale Sharks player AJ MacGinty attacks Wasps player Tommy Taylor during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Sale Sharks and Wasps at JW Bell Stadium on Sept 22 - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
Tonga: Telusa Veainu - £130,000
Signed a new bumper deal with Tigers in 2017 after establishing himself as a first team regular and fan favourite.
POOL D:
Australia: Matt Giteau £1.100,000
He's now overtaken Israel Folau following his sacking. Money doesn’t seem to be an object in Japan with the country’s top clubs being company enterprises.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Matt Giteau of Australia celebrates victory after the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between Australia and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on October 18, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Wales: Dan Biggar – £650,000
The playmaker 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.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Dan Biggar of Wales kicks a penalty during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on September 26, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Fiji: Nemani Nadolo – £350,000
The powerhouse is still a high earner at Montpellier as he continues to raise havoc in the PRO14.
Georgia: Mamuka Gorgodze - £380,000
Despite his advancing years, he is still raking it in at Toulon.
Uruguay: Manuel Leindekar - £35,000
The up-and-coming lock is a rising star at Top14 side Oyonnax.
