Bath Rugby have pulled off a massive retention coup, locking down one of world rugby’s premier fly-halves for the long haul.
Finn Russell put pen to paper on a new deal last summer that will keep him at The Rec until June 2028, in a contract reportedly worth at least £1.2 million per season — a £3.6 million commitment in total.
The move sees Bath fend off serious interest from Racing 92 and Bristol Bears, ensuring their talismanic No.10 remains the centrepiece of their project for years to come.
Russell, who joined Bath in 2023 on a three-year deal, has been a revelation. In 45 appearances, he’s racked up 420 points, including four tries, and topped the Gallagher Premiership charts in 2024/25 with 183 points.
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His brilliance was central to Bath’s historic season, as Johann van Graan’s men clinched a domestic and European treble. Now, at 32, Russell remains pivotal to the club’s ambitions for the next three seasons.
“I have loved my time here at Bath. It’s a great team and a great club. We’ve come a long way over the last couple of years, and I am really looking forward to staying here and seeing what the club can achieve,” Russell said.
With interest from abroad and closer to home brushed aside, Bath fans can now look forward to seeing Russell continue to light up The Rec until at least 2028.
Highest paid rugby players:
5. Maro Itoje – £800,000
Club: Saracens (England)
Country: England
A modern lock in every sense. Itoje blends relentless work rate with elite athleticism, lineout mastery, and breakdown menace. One of England’s most influential forwards of the professional era, his value goes beyond stats — he’s a leader, disruptor, and big-game performer. A future overseas move could easily push him higher on this list.
4. Faf de Klerk – £900,000
Club: Yokohama Canon Eagles (Japan)
Country: South Africa
The ultimate livewire scrum-half. Faf brings chaos, intensity, and unmatched competitiveness to every ruck and breakdown. His box kicking, defensive edge, and leadership helped redefine the modern No. 9. A fan favourite wherever he plays, his move to Japan reflects both his marketability and enduring quality.
3. Cheslin Kolbe – £930,000
Club: Tokyo Sungoliath (Japan)
Country: South Africa
Electric. Elusive. Deadly in space. Kolbe’s footwork and acceleration make him one of the most feared backs in world rugby. A World Cup winner with Springbok DNA, he turns half-chances into highlights and commands one of Japan’s biggest contracts as a result.
2. Antoine Dupont – £1 million
Club: Toulouse
Country: France
The gold standard for modern rugby players. Dupont combines brute strength, elite speed, tactical intelligence, and outrageous skill. Whether at scrum-half or on the sevens circuit, he dominates games like few before him. Widely regarded as the best player on the planet — and paid accordingly.
1. Finn Russell – £1.2 million
Club: Bath Rugby (England)
Country: Scotland
Rugby’s ultimate maverick. Russell plays flat, fast, and fearless — capable of unlocking any defence with a pass nobody else sees. His move to Bath made him the world’s highest-paid player, and when he’s on song, few fly-halves can control a game like him. Pure box-office rugby.
Only one rugby player in history has a bigger net worth than Dan Carter
Rugby union may not match football or basketball for massive salaries, but at the elite level, a select group of players have built impressive fortunes.
From international legends to modern superstars, these athletes combine stellar on-field performance with smart business deals, endorsements, and media work to grow their wealth.
Whether through World Cup glory, club success, or post-retirement ventures, the richest rugby union players demonstrate that the sport can be financially rewarding — if not quite billionaire-level.
Here, we rank the Top 6 richest rugby union players in the world in 2025, ordered from 6 to 1, highlighting both their net worth in pounds (£) and the achievements that helped them earn it.
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6️⃣ Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Estimated Net Worth: £12–14 million
Bio: Widely regarded as the greatest openside flanker of all time, McCaw captained the All Blacks to two Rugby World Cup victories (2011, 2015). Known for his leadership, work ethic, and tactical intelligence.
Key Points:
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner (2011, 2015)
Long All Blacks career with record appearances
Sponsorships with major brands (Adidas, aviation)
Post-retirement speaking engagements and business ventures
5️⃣ Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
Estimated Net Worth: £13–15 million
Bio: Ireland’s most capped player and one of the finest centres in rugby history. O’Driscoll led Ireland and the British & Irish Lions to numerous successes and transitioned into media work after retirement.
Key Points:
Ireland and British & Irish Lions captain
Successful broadcasting career (punditry with BT Sport)
Brand ambassador for multiple companies
Post-retirement business roles
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