The Top Ten Richest Rugby Players In The World

Rugby players show skill on the field. Their dedication to the sport is evident in tackling opponents, scoring tries, and strategic play. Beyond the pitch, some players leverage their fame for lucrative endorsements while others like Sir Bill Gammell establish themselves among the wealthiest in rugby.

10. Owen Farell

Owen Farrell might not always be named the richest rugby player globally, but he is making big money. He gets a hefty $960,000 salary from Saracens, one of the top English rugby teams. Plus, he gets extra cash from cool deals with brands like Nike, O2, and Land Rover. Overall, his total money (net worth) is around 2 million, counting his salary, deals, and possible investments. His skills, leadership, and how well he plays put him in a top position among English rugby players. Looking forward, his contract with Saracens ends in 2024. If he stays, his new contract might not be as high because the club has money troubles. But if he goes to a fancy French or Japanese club, he could make a lot more. Currently, he is the 10th richest rugby player in the world.

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9. Maro Itoje

Maro Itoje has got around $2 million in total, which is great but not the highest globally. His big money comes from playing for Saracens, getting about $994,000 each season. Also, he earns from playing for England and deals with brands like Nike and Gillette. But players are making even more. Others like Charles Piutau and Sonny Bill Williams have more money than Itoje too. Even though he is not the absolute richest, Itoje is still in a fantastic position. His talent and how marketable he is mean he can live a comfortable life. He is only 28, so there’s a good chance he might make even more money, especially if he moves to Japan or France. 

8. Charles Piutau

Charles Piutau has had a captivating journey in the rugby salary scene. Before 2018, he was already a star in New Zealand, known for his skills as a fullback. At just 23, he surprised everyone by leaving the All Blacks and heading to England. His deal with Bristol was reportedly worth £1 million each year which made him the highest-paid player globally for a while. Although his reign at the top did not last, with others like Handre Pollard getting even fatter paychecks, Piutau stayed among the big earners. He played for clubs like Wasps and Bristol Bears keeping his status as one of rugby’s wealthy players. Currently, he is the 8th richest rugby player in the world with $2.5 million.

7. Handre Pollard

Handre Pollard is the South African rugby star without a doubt one of the wealthiest players in the rugby world. Pollard is known as one of the best fly-halves globally who won the Rugby World Cup twice with South Africa and achieved other impressive feats with teams like the Bulls and Montpellier. But it’s not just his skill on the field that brings in the big bucks. He joined Montpellier in 2018 for a record salary and recently made a high-profile move to Leicester Tigers in 2022. His deal with  Leicester Tigers is estimated to be around $1.8 million per season which makes him the highest-paid player in both the Premiership and South Africa. This huge salary shows how much he’s valued, both for his club and his country, making him a top player in the sport. Currently, he is the 7th richest rugby player in the world with earnings of $2.7 million.

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6. Beau Ryan 

Beau Ryan is a famous Rugby player and his net worth at around $10 million which makes him one of the top ten richest rugby players. Rugby though popular, does not bring in as much money as sports like football or basketball but he also promotes and collaborates with brands which makes him successful income. But Beau’s money does not just come from playing rugby. He has done a lot like hosting TV shows, doing comedy, and even trying out music. All these different things have added up which makes him a well-rounded person with money coming in from different places. So, while he might not be among the very top richest players, Beau Ryan is successful.

5. Mike Tindal

Mike Tindal is known for his successful rugby career, winning a World Cup and achieving a lot with different teams. The big factor is his marriage to Zara Tindal, who is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. Being part of the royal family opens up opportunities for Mike, like getting deals with brands that pay a lot. This boosts his money much more than just playing rugby would. While his rugby career surely helped, saying he’s super rich just because of playing rugby might not be accurate. His current net worth is about $13 million.

4. Jonathan Wilkinson

Jonathan Wilkinson is one of the richest rugby players around with about $29 million. When he was at his best, Wilkinson was an amazing fly-half, known for his great kicks and leading roles with England and Toulon. This got him big contracts and deals with brands. But what makes him stand out is how he took care of himself. Wilkinson focused on staying healthy and avoiding injuries, and this helped him play for a long time. So, he could keep making money for a more extended period. Besides, he made clever investments and tried different things after retiring, making sure his finances stayed strong.

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3. Sonny Williams

Sonny Williams made a lot of money, winning two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks and grabbing titles in different competitions. Being great in both league and union got him attention worldwide, and he got some massive contracts like a $10 million deal with the Toronto Wolfpack in 2019 which made him the highest-paid rugby player then. He is also popular on social media and gets sponsorships because of his charm.

2. Sir Bill Gammell

Sir Bill Gammell is not just known for playing rugby for Scotland a bit. He became one of the wealthiest figures in rugby, his successful career in the international oil and gas industry. Even though he only played for Scotland five times and his rugby days were short (from 1977 to 1980), Gammell’s sharp business skills over more than three decades earned him a lot of money. His estimated net worth is around $50 million to £38.7 million putting him among the richest rugby players ever. 

1. Simon McDowell

Simon McDowell is the richest rugby player in the world. Starting in the late 1980s, McDowell rocked rugby with North Ireland. Sadly, a big injury in 1990 ended his career. Instead of giving up, he went into business. McDowell fixed up his family’s struggling company, Kilwaughter Chemical. With his skills, it became a success, making concrete products. Now, Simon McDowell is not just a rugby star. He shows that success can be different. His current net worth is $54 million.

Conclusion

Rugby’s richest players combine on-field excellence with off-field ventures. Sonny Bill Williams is known for dual-code success which stands out, while Jonathan Wilkinson’s net worth of $29 million reflects talent and wise investments. Sir Bill Gammell’s post-rugby oil industry success makes him a financial giant.