how much do rugby players make
Rugby salaries range from modest wages at lower levels to million‑dollar deals for a tiny group of global stars, and they vary a lot by country, league, and position.
Quick Scoop: How much do rugby players make?
- Most full‑time professionals in major European leagues earn roughly mid five to low six figures per year in local currency (e.g., around £80,000–£180,000 in the English Premiership, about €120,000–€200,000 in France’s Top 14 for regular starters).
- Average senior players in Premiership Rugby have been reported in the ~£113,000–£175,000 band, depending heavily on position (fly‑halves and centres generally higher than scrum‑halves and hookers).
- Top internationals and marquee club stars can earn close to or above the equivalent of €900,000 per season in France, plus extra income from bonuses and endorsements.
- In newer or smaller markets like the USA’s Major League Rugby, typical contracts are far lower, around €25,000–€45,000 (or similar in dollars) for many players.
- Below the fully professional tier (semi‑pro clubs, lower divisions), pay can drop to a few hundred to a few thousand per month or even be essentially expenses‑only; forum discussions also note that players sometimes exaggerate what they say they earn.
By league: rough typical ranges
Here’s an at‑a‑glance view of reported salary bands for “regular pro” players, not counting rare mega‑stars.
| League / Level | Typical low range (per year) | Typical high range (regular pros) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Top 14 | ~€80,000 | ~€200,000+ (regular pros) | Some stars reported on €900,000+ with bonuses. | [5][3]
| English Premiership | ~£80,000 | ~£180,000 | Average senior players often quoted around £113,000–£175,000. | [3][1]
| United Rugby Championship | ~€70,000 | ~€150,000 | Countries include Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, South Africa. | [3]
| Japan Rugby League One / Top League | ~¥10m (≈ £60,000) | ~¥20m (≈ £120,000) for regulars | Star imports can reach ¥100m+. | [5][3]
| Super Rugby (NZ/Aus) | ~AUD $120,000 | ~AUD $200,000 | Top national stars can go higher with combined deals. | [3]
| Major League Rugby (USA) | ~€25,000 | ~€45,000 | Developing market; many players supplement income with other work. | [3]
How much do the very top rugby players earn?
Only a small group reaches true “star athlete” money compared with other global sports.
- Leading fly‑halves and backs in France and England have been reported on club packages close to or above $1 million per year (e.g., deals for players like Owen Farrell and Finn Russell in recent lists of highest‑paid rugby players).
- Some French Top 14 and Japanese club plus international contracts are rumored around €900,000 a season for elite names, often combining club salary, image rights, and bonuses.
- High‑profile World Cup winners and national captains can sit in the $800,000–$900,000 band, depending on club and commercial value.
- Even in the top 20 earners worldwide, many sit between roughly $600,000 and $900,000, which is big money for rugby but still far below top NBA or Premier League football contracts.
Position, country, and level: what changes the number?
Several factors explain why “how much do rugby players make” has such a wide answer.
- Position:
- Key playmakers like fly‑halves and some centres often command the highest average salaries in reports (e.g., fly‑halves in one Premiership breakdown averaging ~£175,679, centres and locks slightly less, scrum‑halves and hookers closer to ~£113,000–£118,000).
- League wealth and salary caps:
- French and English clubs in rich leagues can offer more; French Top 14 in particular is currently seen as the biggest payer for club deals.
- International status and reputation:
- Regular test players, especially World Cup standouts or captains, can add national union retainers and commercial deals on top of club salaries.
- Experience and age:
- Young players breaking into pro squads can start near the lower end of the range, while established veterans with a track record push toward the top end.
- Tier of competition:
- National leagues with smaller TV deals or semi‑pro structures pay far less; forum discussions about lower national levels highlight that deals can vary wildly and may be part‑time or match‑fee based.
An example: a solid starting prop in a mid‑table Top 14 club might sit around the league average, while a world‑class fly‑half in a title‑challenging French or Japanese club with a national team contract can be several times higher.
Rugby vs. perception (and forum chatter)
Online forums and fan debates often paint a mixed picture of “rich pros” and “guys barely getting by.”
- Fans and coaches on community forums note that players sometimes inflate the salaries they claim to earn, especially at semi‑pro levels.
- Comparisons between rugby union and rugby league point out that some rugby league competitions (like the NRL) have higher salary caps than many union leagues, but only a slice of players touch those top numbers.
- There’s a recurring theme that outside the top leagues and national teams, many players need second careers or jobs ready for when their short playing window closes.
In other words, “rugby player” doesn’t guarantee “millionaire.” A few stars earn big; a large middle tier earns solid professional incomes; and many at the edges of the system earn closer to normal salaries or less.
TL;DR: Most full‑time rugby pros in major leagues earn roughly mid five‑ to low six‑figure yearly salaries in local currency, but only a handful of global stars break the $800,000–$1,000,000+ range, while players in smaller or semi‑pro competitions earn significantly less and may need other work.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.