The popularity of rugby varies in different parts of the world. In some parts of the world, the sport is extremely popular, while in some other parts, people do not even know the name. However, don’t think that rugby players do not make millions of dollars.
When you see the net worth of the top 10 richest rugby players in the world in 2023, you will feel motivated to pursue your career in rugby. Rugby players have to work hard to hone their physical, technical, and tactical skills. They deserve each penny they earn.
While some former players are dominating the list, there are some current active players also who have found luxury in their early stage of life.
Here Are The Top 10 Richest Rugby Players in the World
| Player Name | Net Worth | Status | Country |
| Simon McDowell | $54 Million | retired | Ireland |
| Sir Bill Gammell | $50 Million | retired | Scotland |
| Sonny Williams | $30 Million | retired | Australia |
| Jonathan Wilkinson | $29 Million | retired | England |
| Mike Tindal | $13 Million | retired | England |
| Beau Ryan | $10 Million | retired | Australia |
| Handré Pollard | $2.7 Million | Active | South Africa |
| Charles Piutau | $2.5 Million | Active | New Zealand |
| Maro Itoje | $2 Million | Active | England |
| Owen Farrell | $2 Million | Active | England |
1. Simon McDowell
| Full Name | Simon McDowell |
| Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
| Playing position | Lock |
Simon McDowell holds the number one position on the list. He is a former Irish rugby player who had his rugby career from 1987 to 1990. His career was cut short due to injuries. After early retirement, he became a referee of the sport. McDowell really had so much love for the sport.
However, do not think that he has made so much money by being a referee. Instead, McDowell owns a chemical company called Kilwaughter, from which he earns most of his money. Anyway, with money from rugby or a chemical company, he is the richest rugby player in 2023.
2. Sir Bill Gammell
| Full Name | Sir William Benjamin Bowring Gammell |
| Date of birth | December 17, 1952 |
| Place of birth | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Playing position | Centre |
Sir Bill Gammell is another former rugby player who retired very early in his career due to an injury. After he was sure that there was no way he could return to the field, he started his own business. You have to admit that Gammell is a shrewd businessman.
Gammell established his company called Caird Energy towards the end of the 80s and soon became a successful businessman. By 2010, the valuation of the company stood at over $10 billion! With so much intelligence and wealth, he was destined to have political connections.
The Scottish businessman is a very good friend of Joe Baide, the present US president. Gammell holds the second position among the top 10 richest rugby players in the world in 2023, with over $50 million net worth.
Career Stats of Bill Gammell
| Games played | Games started | Points | Tries | Drop goals | Conversion Scored | Penalties scored | Red cards |
| 5 | 5 | 8 | 2 |
3. Sonny Williams
| Full Name | Sonny Bill Williams |
| Date of birth | 3 August 1985 |
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in |
| Playing position | Second-row, Centre, Lock |
When you get sponsors like Adidas, you are bound to become a wealthy man. And that is what happened with Sonny Williams. He is the first ever rugby player to get a contract with a global brand like Adidas. It helped him become a millionaire overnight.
The New Zealand-born star quickly switched his career path. After spending some time in rugby, he moved to boxing. Well, he took a completely different sport but is still doing great. With about 30 million USD by his name, he is the third wealthiest rugby player in 2023.
Career Stats of Sonny Williams
| Games played | Games started | Points | Tries | Drop goals | Conversion Scored | Penalties scored | Red cards |
| 30 | 25 | 5 | 25 |
4. Jonathan Wilkinson
| Full Name | Jonathan Peter Wilkinson |
| Date of birth | May 25, 1979 |
| Place of birth | Frimley, England |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Playing position | Fly-half |
Jonathan Wilkinson is a former English rugby player. He was born in Frimley in 1979. He was dedicated to the game and had a good career. He played a total of 97 games and scored more than twelve hundred points.
Wilkinson is one of the few players who recorded a career average of 15 points per game. So, how did Wilkinson make so much money? That is an interesting story. Wilkinson saved his salary from becoming a millionaire. Now that does sound impossible, doesn’t it?
Jonathan Wilkinson was one of the few players who earned a handsome salary yet lived a very simple life. He did not adopt an extravagant, lavish lifestyle, nor did he ever get involved in any controversy. In a word, he was a saint-like man in the history of rugby.
Career Stats of Jonathan Wilkinson
| Games played | Games started | Points | Tries | Drop goals | Conversion Scored | Penalties scored |
| 97 | 85 | 1246 | 7 | 36 | 169 | 265 |
5. Mike Tindal
| Full Name | Michael James Tindall |
| Date of birth | 18 October 1978 |
| Place of birth | Otley, West Yorkshire, England |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in |
| Playing position | Centre |
At number five, we have another former rugby player, Mike Tindal. Tindal’s net worth has quickly increased in the past few years. And how did it happen? Well, she has lady luck. He is married to Zara Phillips, a grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II.
Final was also a very good player on the field. He played more than two hundred games in the English Premiership and scored 193 points. Tindal was a part of the 2003 world cup winning England team. As of 2023, his net worth is about 13 million USD, which makes him the fifth wealthiest rugby player.
Career Stats of Mike Tindal
| Games played | Games started | Points | Tries | Drop goals | Conversion Scored | Penalties scored | Red cards |
| 206 | 188 | 193 | 36 | 1 | 3 |
6. Beau Ryan
| Full Name | Beau Ryan |
| Date of birth | 11 May 1985 |
| Place of birth | Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Playing position | Wing, Centre, Fullback |
Beau Ryan is a former Australian rugby player. He was born in 1985 in New South Wales. He was a multidimensional player and used to play in different positions. He played in wing, center, and also as a fullback.
One look at Ryan, and you will say this man was born for stardom. He has a good look and a good physique. Ryan also knew his destiny, and so quickly after his retirement from rugby, he joined the media.
Ryan has found much success on TV and has nearly four hundred thousand followers on Instagram. With his increased popularity, he came into the focus of Adidas and got to sign endorsement contracts. His net worth currently records $10 million.
Career Stats of Beau Ryan
| Games played | Games started | Points | Tries |
| 126 | 123 | 53 | 212 |
7. Handré Pollard
| Full Name | Handré Pollard |
| Date of birth | 11 March 1994 |
| Place of birth | Somerset West, South Africa |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in |
| Playing position | Fly-half / Inside-Centre |
With 2.7 million USD, Pollard stands as the seventh richest rugby player. It is a wonder that he is only 29 and already has made a list. He is one of the youngest active players to make a list. He signed a huge contract with Montpellier and now earns more than a million a year.
Handre Pollard was born in South Africa in 1994. He plays as a fly-half and occasionally as an inside center. So far, he has been doing great in the field. And it won’t be surprising if he gets an even bigger contract and earns more money, and climbs up the list.
Career Stats of Handre Pollard
| Games played | Games started | Points | Tries | Drop goals | Conversion Scored | Penalties scored | Red cards |
| 59 | 51 | 616 | 10 | 2 | 103 | 118 |
8. Charles Piutau
| Full Name | Salesi Tu’ipulotu “Charles” Piutau |
| Date of birth | 31 October 1991 |
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Playing position | Fullback, Wing, Centre |
When you are the best at what you do, you are bound to get successful. And with success comes money. Piutu has proved it. Earning an annual salary of 2 million USD in rugby is rare. Piutau and Pollard have done it. They both earn more than two million just from their salary.
Piutau is currently signed with the Bristol Bears in England, and he is one of the key players for the Bears. So far, he has played 41 games with the Bears. He plays in Center, Wing, and fullback. He is also a multidimensional player.
Charles Piutau was born in 1991 in New Zealand. He showed great talent from the very beginning of his career. And that reputation helped him earn a handsome contract with the Bears.
Career Stats of Charles Piutau in Bears
| Games played | Games started | Points | Tries | Drop goals | Conversion Scored | Penalties scored | Red cards |
| 41 | 41 | 40 | 8 |
9. Maro Itoje
| Full Name | Oghenemaro Miles Itoje |
| Date of birth | October 28, 1994 |
| Place of birth | London, England |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
| Playing position | Lock, Blindside Flanker |
Maro Itoje is another active player who has made a list. He represents the Saracens in Premiership rugby. Itoje was born in London and had a passion for rugby from his early life. He is 6ft 5 inches, which makes him a perfect player in the lock position.
He gets the second highest salary currently, which helped me reach the list of wealthiest rugby players. His current net worth is about $2 million, which sets him in the ninth position on the list.
Career Stats of Maro Itoje
| Games played | Games started | Points | Tries | Drop goals | Conversion Scored | Penalties scored | Red cards |
| 153 | 127 | 110 | 22 |
10. Owen Farrell
| Full Name | Owen Andrew Farrell |
| Date of birth | 24 September 1991 |
| Place of birth | Greater Manchester, England |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in |
| Playing position | Fly-half, Inside center |
Owen Farrell is an active English rugby player who is so good at his game. He has recorded 2575 points for the Saracens. He has been with the club for many seasons now. He plays in different positions, such as fly-half and inside center.
Farrell’s league career began when he was only 17. It has been almost fifteen years that he has been playing the game. He is undoubtedly a future hall of Famer. But for now, he holds the tenth position of the top 10 richest rugby players in the world.
Careers Stats of Owen Farrell for Saracens
| Games played | Games started | Points | Tries | Drop goals | Conversion Scored | Penalties scored | Red cards |
| 227 | 207 | 2575 | 18 | 5 | 443 | 528 | 1 |
Conclusion
So these were the top 10 richest rugby players in the world in 2023. Though many of them are no longer active players, and a few of them have earned their money from business and other means. However, they still bear the identity of a rugby player. And also, some current players like Itoje, Pollard, and Piutau are changing the status of rugby players.
- Read Also: Top 10 Fastest Bowlers in Cricket History
