The list of the highest earners in world rugby at the moment is dominated by French-based players.
1. Dan Carter – £1-million (R17.7-million)
The legendary All Blacks flyhalf will become the world's highest-paid player after agreeing to join Racing Métro following next year's World Cup.
2. Matt Giteau – £700,000 (R12.4-million)
Following interest from Racing Métro in September 2014, Giteau instead signed a lucrative new contract at Toulon.
3. Leigh Halfpenny – £600,000 (R10.6-million)
Halfpenny left the Cardiff Blues in January 2014 after agreeing a record deal with Toulon that saw him become the highest-paid Welshman of all time.
4. Sam Burgess – £500,000 (R8.9-million)
The former rugby league star agreed a switch of codes in February 2014 after Bath agreed to pay £500,000 to release the Englishman from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
5. Jonny Sexton – £494,000 (R8.8-million)
The Racing Métro flyhalf is the highest-paid Irishman, although a return to Leinster at the end of the season will seriously hamper his earning capability.
6. Bryan Habana – £474,000 (R8.4-million)
One of two Springboks on the list, Habana earns almost £500,000 a year after signing with French giants Toulon in 2013.
7. Morgan Parra – £436,000 (R7.6-million)
The Clermont-Auvergne scrumhalf is the highest-paid French player in the world despite struggling to hold down a place with the national side.
8. Thierry Dusautoir – £408,000 (R7.2-million)
Now in the twilight of his career, the French captain has been linked with a move to Leicester, where he will be expected to take a pay cut.
9. Bakkies Botha – £390,000 (R6.9-million)
Now in his final season, the Springbok hardman signed a money-spinning deal with Toulon in 2011, although he has since been surpassed by a number of big-name signings.
10. Jamie Roberts – £380.000 (R6.7-million)
The second Welshman on the list, Roberts earns a tidy sum of money at Racing Métro, although he is rumoured to be heading back to Wales where he is expected to rejoin the Cardiff Blues.
Source: Daily Telegraph
Photo: Lionel Bonaventure/Getty Images
