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Antoine Dupont is once again the world's highest-paid rugby player
Antoine Dupont playing for France, ranked as the world's highest-paid rugby player in 2026

France superstar Antoine Dupont has once again been named the highest-paid rugby player in the world, with the Toulouse scrum-half sitting above some of the sport's biggest names.

The 29-year-old signed a new contract with the French giants in 2025, keeping him at the club until 2031.

His latest deal has reportedly taken his earnings to another level, cementing his position at the top of rugby's rich list.

But Dupont isn't the only player with a bank balance that would make your eyes water.

From England's PREM to Japan's Rugby League One, clubs are digging deep to keep their biggest stars happy.

The latest ranking features World Cup winners, British & Irish Lions stars and a Scottish magician who seems to have a different understanding of physics to everyone else.

So, who makes the top five, and just how much are they earning?

We've counted down rugby's five biggest earners, saving the highest-paid star's salary until last.

All salaries are reported estimates. Actual earnings may vary depending on bonuses, international payments and commercial agreements.

4=. Maro Itoje – £800,000 per year

  • Club: Saracens
  • Country: England 🌹
  • Estimated weekly earnings: £15,385

England captain Maro Itoje remains one of the best-paid players in the PREM.

The British & Irish Lions star has spent his entire senior club career at Saracens, where his importance extends well beyond what happens on the pitch.

His reported earnings, including England payments, place him firmly among rugby's financial heavyweights.

It's hardly surprising.

Itoje has been collecting trophies and opposition lineout ball for the best part of a decade.

The lock remains central to England's plans, and Saracens have made sure their prized asset isn't going anywhere.

4=. Malcolm Marx – £800,000 per year

  • Club: Kubota Spears
  • Country: South Africa 🇿🇦
  • Estimated weekly earnings: £15,385

There are easier ways to earn a living than trying to stop Malcolm Marx from two metres out.

The Springboks hooker has been terrorising defenders for years, and Kubota Spears are paying handsomely for the privilege of having him on their side.

The double World Cup winner has been playing in Japan since 2021, where his reported salary puts him among rugby's highest earners.

Marx is a breakdown menace, a powerful ball-carrier and the sort of player who makes opposition forwards reconsider their career choices.

Japan's financial muscle has helped attract some of rugby's biggest names.

Marx is certainly one of them.

2=. Finn Russell – £985,000 per year

  • Club: Bath Rugby
  • Country: Scotland 🥃
  • Estimated weekly earnings: £18,942

Finn Russell plays rugby like a bloke who's accidentally picked up the wrong instruction manual.

While everyone else is following the script, the Scotland fly-half is busy attempting passes that look more suited to a basketball court.

And somehow, they usually work.

Bath clearly appreciate the entertainment.

Russell joined the club from Racing 92 in 2023 before signing another deal in 2025, keeping him at The Rec until 2028.

His reported salary places him among the highest-paid players in the world.

It's an enormous amount of money, but Russell has helped transform Bath into one of English rugby's leading forces.

He previously topped some versions of rugby's rich list, although the latest estimates have him sitting third.

Still, nearly a million pounds a year isn't a bad return for someone who occasionally looks like he's making the whole thing up as he goes along.

2=. Romain Ntamack – £985,000 per year

  • Club: Toulouse
  • Country: France 🇫🇷
  • Estimated weekly earnings: £18,942

Imagine earning close to £1million a year and still not being the highest-paid player in your own half-back partnership.

That's the situation facing Romain Ntamack.

The France fly-half has become one of Europe's most accomplished playmakers, helping Toulouse dominate both domestically and on the continental stage.

He signed a long-term contract extension in 2022, securing his future with the French giants.

Ntamack's reported salary puts him alongside Finn Russell in second place.

Not bad for a player who has spent much of his career making the difficult look remarkably straightforward.

But despite his enormous earnings, there's still one Toulouse teammate ahead of him.

And the gap is considerable.

1. Antoine Dupont – £1.2million per year

  • Club: Toulouse
  • Country: France 🇫🇷
  • Estimated weekly earnings: £23,077

Of course it's Antoine Dupont.

The Frenchman plays rugby like someone has handed him the television remote and allowed him to fast-forward through everyone else's reactions.

Defenders move in normal time. Dupont appears to operate about three seconds ahead.

And Toulouse are paying a fortune to keep it that way.

The scrum-half signed a new contract in 2025, extending his stay with the French champions until 2031.

His reported annual package of £1.2million puts him at the summit of rugby's rich list.

That's approximately £23,000 every week, before factoring in his considerable commercial earning power.

The Olympic gold medallist has become one of the sport's most recognisable faces, with major brands queuing up to work with him.

His reported club earnings are around £215,000 more than those of Ntamack and Russell.

And when you consider what he brings to Toulouse and France, it's difficult to imagine anyone at the club losing much sleep over the bill.

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