Industry Insights

The rugby landscape in 2025 portrays a major financial shift with English and Japanese clubs rushing to offer blockbuster contracts to elite players.

According to FloRugby, players are increasingly influenced by broadcast revenue, global endorsements, and the international expansion of club rugby. France’s Top 14 and Japan’s League One remain lucrative markets, with record-breaking deals clinched to secure the services of world-class stars.

Owen Farrell (£1.2 million) and Maro Itoje (£800,000) lead the English contingent, while South Africa’s production line of icons such as Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe underline the growing commercialization of the sport.

Methodology

The list and salary data are sourced directly from FloRugby’s official 2025 report on the highest-paid players, and this is corroborated with club announcements and verified media reports. The evaluation parameters used for this exercise were:

• Annual Salary (GBP): Confirmed or reported gross yearly earnings.
• Club Representation: Domestic and international affiliations.
• Commercial Value: Sponsorship and endorsements impact.
• International Achievements: World Cup performances and leadership roles.
• Market Influence: Player impact on club brand value and regional fanbase.

Combining these data points with expert opinions gave a more holistic perspective and emphasised the value of our ‘SB Market Index’. This robust and reliable system crunched the results, ensuring they were accurate and devoid of bias.

SB Market Index Table

Owen Farrell (Racing 92, £1.2M)

Topping our list is Owen Farrell, who saw his earnings soar after a high-profile move from Saracens to Racing 92 in 2024. It is a testament to France’s Top 14 they were able to secure the services of one of the most talented fly-halves of his generation. Farrell’s consistency and excellent leadership skills gave him a superb ‘SB Market Index’ score.

Finn Russell (Bath Rugby, £1M)

Frequently referred to as the ‘Lionel Messi of rugby’, Finn Russell is Scotland’s creative spark, and he was briefly rugby’s highest earner until Farrell overtook him. Nevertheless, Russell’s flair and awareness see him take home £1 million a year.

Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath, £930K)

One of the best rugby players ever, Cheslin Kolbe’s quick footwork and ability to turn games on a single burst have helped him command a huge salary in Japan, making him the highest earner in League One. The dynamic winger also returned a superb ‘SB Market Index’ marking.

Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles, £900K)

Faf de Klerk has an incredible work engine, but he can be fiery at times. However, he continues to rake in the cash, and he’s one of the highest-paid players in Japan’s League One.

Dan Biggar (Toulon, £800K)

Although he retired from all forms at the end of the 2024/25 season, veteran Wales fly-half Dan Biggar was a key figure for Toulon in the Top 14, and he was one of the top earners in the game, which reflected his standing.

Maro Itoje (Saracens, £800K)

One of England’s most distinguished players, Maro Itoje’s earning power is impressive. Perhaps a move overseas could see him push his current salary higher.

Siya Kolisi (Sharks, £775K)

A talismanic figure and two-time World Cup winner with South Africa, Siya Kolisi continues to flourish in his homeland and gets a big pay packet with the Sharks.

Antoine Dupont (Toulouse, £700K)

Another world-class player, Frenchman Antoine Dupont saw his earnings increase, and he fetches a premium salary. Dupont normally controls the tempo for Toulouse and provides the platform for the attack, making him invaluable to the cause.

Steven Luatua (Bristol Bears, £620K)

One of the more senior members of the Bristol dressing room, Steven Luatua has stood out for his consistency and versatility, putting his salary ahead of many international players.

Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers, £610K)

Despite taking a pay cut to join Leicester, Handré Pollard remains one of the game’s undoubted stars, and he still courts plenty of attention. This is reflected in his salary, which saw him sneak into our top 10.

Conclusion

In summary, our results dictate Owen Farrell is the highest-paid rugby star, and he is a shining light in the game. Naturally, cross-league transfers such as Farrell’s move to Racing 92, helped raise the profile of France’s Top 14. He was rewarded with a sizeable salary and that doesn’t include other endorsements.

Other players, such as Finn Russell and Cheslin Kolbe, are well remunerated, and factors such as TV deals and image rights influence how much clubs can pay. Of course, clubs shouldn’t break their pay structure to keep players happy, but this trend of bigger salaries isn’t slowing down.