World’s most expensive XV – highest paid player every position

Lock: Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) – £850,000

Lock: Maro Itoje (Saracens) – £800,000

According to RugbyPass his new salary is somewhere in the region of £750,000 to £1 million – making him England’s highest paid player. 

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 (NSW Waratahs) – £572,000

Number 8: Kieran Read (Toyota Verblitz) – £520,000