Bath Rugby have pulled off a massive retention coup, locking down one of world rugby\u2019s premier fly-halves for the long haul.<\/p>\n
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 \u00a31.2 million per season \u2014 a \u00a33.6 million commitment in total. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Russell, who joined Bath in 2023 on a three-year deal, has been a revelation. In 45 appearances, he\u2019s racked up 420 points, including four tries, and topped the Gallagher Premiership charts in 2024\/25 with 183 points.<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n His brilliance was central to Bath\u2019s historic season, as Johann van Graan\u2019s men clinched a domestic and European treble. Now, at 32, Russell remains pivotal to the club\u2019s ambitions for the next three seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cI have loved my time here at Bath. It\u2019s a great team and a great club. We\u2019ve 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,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Highest paid rugby players: <\/p>\n 5. Maro Itoje \u2013 \u00a3800,000<\/p>\n Club:\u00a0Saracens (England) A modern lock in every sense. Itoje blends relentless work rate with elite athleticism, lineout mastery, and breakdown menace. One of England\u2019s most influential forwards of the professional era, his value goes beyond stats \u2014 he\u2019s a leader, disruptor, and big-game performer. A future overseas move could easily push him higher on this list.<\/p>\n 4. Faf de Klerk \u2013 \u00a3900,000<\/p>\n Club:\u00a0Yokohama Canon Eagles (Japan) 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.<\/p>\n 3. Cheslin Kolbe \u2013 \u00a3930,000<\/p>\n Club:\u00a0Tokyo Sungoliath (Japan) Electric. Elusive. Deadly in space. Kolbe\u2019s 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\u2019s biggest contracts as a result.<\/p>\n 2. Antoine Dupont \u2013 \u00a31 million<\/p>\n Club:\u00a0Toulouse 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 \u2014 and paid accordingly.<\/p>\n 1. Finn Russell \u2013 \u00a31.2 million<\/p>\n Club:\u00a0Bath Rugby (England) Rugby\u2019s ultimate maverick. Russell plays flat, fast, and fearless \u2014 capable of unlocking any defence with a pass nobody else sees. His move to Bath made him the world\u2019s highest-paid player, and when he\u2019s on song, few fly-halves can control a game like him. Pure box-office rugby.<\/p>\n Only one rugby player in history has a bigger net worth than Dan Carter<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n From international legends to modern superstars, these athletes combine\u00a0stellar on-field performance with smart business deals, endorsements, and media work\u00a0to grow their wealth.<\/p>\n Whether through World Cup glory, club success, or post-retirement ventures, the richest rugby union players demonstrate that the sport can be financially rewarding \u2014 if not quite billionaire-level.<\/p>\n Here, we rank the\u00a0Top 6 richest rugby union players in the world in 2025, ordered from 6 to 1, highlighting both their net worth in pounds (\u00a3) and the achievements that helped them earn it.<\/p>\n Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel <\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n 6\ufe0f\u20e3 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)<\/p>\n Estimated Net Worth: \u00a312\u201314 million Key Points:<\/p>\n Two-time Rugby World Cup winner (2011, 2015)<\/p>\n Long All Blacks career with record appearances<\/p>\n Sponsorships with major brands (Adidas, aviation)<\/p>\n Post-retirement speaking engagements and business ventures<\/p>\n 5\ufe0f\u20e3 Brian O\u2019Driscoll (Ireland)<\/p>\n Estimated Net Worth: \u00a313\u201315 million Key Points:<\/p>\n Ireland and British & Irish Lions captain<\/p>\n Successful broadcasting career (punditry with BT Sport)<\/p>\n Brand ambassador for multiple companies<\/p>\n Post-retirement business roles<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
Country:\u00a0England<\/p>\n
Country:\u00a0South Africa<\/p>\n
Country:\u00a0South Africa<\/p>\n
Country:\u00a0France<\/p>\n
Country:\u00a0Scotland<\/p>\n
Bio:\u00a0Widely 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.<\/p>\n
Bio:\u00a0Ireland\u2019s most capped player and one of the finest centres in rugby history. O\u2019Driscoll led Ireland and the British & Irish Lions to numerous successes and transitioned into media work after retirement.<\/p>\n