2007\u20132009: Carl Hayman (Newcastle Falcons, approximately \u00a3500,000\u2013\u00a3600,000 package)<\/p>\n
Carl Hayman\u2019s move from New Zealand to Newcastle changed rugby\u2019s transfer market overnight.<\/p>\n
Suddenly clubs realised world-class props were worth outrageous money too.<\/p>\n
Reports at the time described Hayman as rugby\u2019s highest-paid player, with a package that extended well beyond his publicly reported salary.<\/p>\n
For a brief moment, tighthead props became rugby\u2019s equivalent of Premier League strikers.<\/p>\n
2009\u20132011: S\u00e9bastien Chabal (Racing M\u00e9tro 92, approximately \u00a3850,000\u2013\u00a31 million)<\/p>\n
This was the moment French rugby completely lost its mind financially \u2014 and everyone else secretly loved it.<\/p>\n
Racing M\u00e9tro handed S\u00e9bastien Chabal a monster deal as the Top 14 flexed its financial muscles.<\/p>\n
With his caveman beard, massive popularity and marketing appeal in France, Chabal became rugby\u2019s ultimate box-office attraction.<\/p>\n
The Top 14 had officially entered its galactico era.<\/p>\n
2011\u20132013: Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon, approximately \u00a3850,000)<\/p>\n
Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal essentially started building rugby\u2019s version of Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
Wilkinson became the centrepiece of a squad stacked with global stars, luxury contracts and enough international caps to populate a small country.<\/p>\n
And somehow, despite the sunshine, yachts and massive salary, Wilkinson still spent most of his spare time practising goal kicks.<\/p>\n
2013\u20132015: Matt Giteau \/ Leigh Halfpenny (RC Toulon, approximately \u00a31 million)<\/p>\n
By this point Toulon were collecting superstar backs the way some people collect Panini stickers.<\/p>\n
Matt Giteau and Leigh Halfpenny both landed enormous deals as French rugby salaries pushed towards football territory.<\/p>\n
Halfpenny\u2019s kicking alone was probably worth several thousand pounds per successful penalty.<\/p>\n
2015\u20132017: Dan Carter (Racing 92, approximately \u00a31.3 million)<\/p>\n
Dan Carter arriving at Racing 92 after the 2015 Rugby World Cup felt like rugby union entering a completely new financial universe.<\/p>\n
The All Blacks legend became the undisputed highest-paid player in the world, with his contract reportedly worth around \u00a31.3 million per season.<\/p>\n
Elegant on the pitch, ridiculously composed off it, and now earning superstar money.<\/p>\n
Frankly, fair enough.<\/p>\n