The Top-Earning Rugby Stars: Where Skill Meets Salaries

Rugby may not be synonymous with astronomical salaries, but a select group of players in England and France have managed to secure significant earnings due to their prowess on and off the field. Here are the top 10 highest-paid rugby stars in the world.

Morgan Parra - £620,000 ($862,800) per annumMorgan Parra, the scrum-half from France's Clermont, secures the 10th spot on our list. With over 70 appearances for France and more than 300 for Clermont, Parra commands an estimated annual salary of £620,000.

Nicolas Sanchez - £620,000 ($862,800) per annumHailing from Argentina and playing for Stade Français since 2018, Nicolas Sanchez made history in 2020 by scoring all 25 points in his team's victory over New Zealand. His annual earnings are also around £620,000.

Dan Biggar - £640,000 ($890,600) per annumDan Biggar, a star player for Wales and Northampton, joined the Saints in 2018 and won the Premiership Rugby Cup with them. His lucrative contract yields approximately £640,000 each year.

Steven Luatua - £700,000 ($974,300) per annumNew Zealand lock Steven Luatua, who plays for Bristol Bears, was instrumental in the team's 2020 Challenge Cup victory. Despite limited international appearances, his contract with Bristol rewards him with an annual income of around £700,000.

Owen Farrell - £800,000 ($1,113,500) per annumEngland's captain, Owen Farrell, is a renowned figure in the rugby world, having accumulated over 90 caps for his national team and more than 200 appearances for Saracens. His annual earnings from Saracens are estimated at £800,000.

Maro Itoje - £825,000 ($1,148,800) per annumMaro Itoje, another Saracens standout, is widely regarded as one of the world's best locks. With over 130 appearances for Saracens and 50 England caps, he commands an annual salary of approximately £825,000.

Finn Russell - £850,000 ($1,183,600) per annumFinn Russell, representing Racing 92 and Scotland, plays both center and fly-half. His decision to stay in Paris, fueled by a substantial pay increase in 2020, results in an annual income of around £850,000.

Eben Etzebeth - £900,000 ($1,253,200) per annumSouth African lock Eben Etzebeth, a key contributor to the 2019 World Cup-winning South Africa national team and Toulon, receives an impressive annual salary of £900,000 following his contract renewal in 2020.

Handré Pollard - £1,000,000 ($1,392,700) per annumHandré Pollard, a South African fly-half, secured joint first place by moving to Montpellier in 2020. His contract with Montpellier makes him one of the highest-paid rugby players globally, earning approximately £1 million per year.

Charles Piutau - £1,000,000 ($1,392,700) per annumCharles Piutau, a former New Zealand international now playing for Bristol Bears, became the highest-paid rugby player in the world upon his move to Bristol in 2018. His annual earnings are an impressive £1 million, shared with Handré Pollard.