With its extensive global fan base and widespread participation, rugby stands out as a popular sport in many countries. Due to its global appeal, the toughest sport has attracted sponsorship deals and television coverage, providing ample opportunities for players to make huge revenues. While their earnings may be modest in comparison to other athletes, these players have nonetheless managed to amass a considerable amount of wealth thanks to their strong game-playing skills and other lucrative businesses. Who tops the list of the world's wealthiest rugby players?

The Scottish professional rugby union player, Finn Russell, who primarily plays fly-half for Racing 92 in the Top 14 is also one of the top-paid rugby players. His recent deal with Premiership club Bath is believed to be even more lucrative in financial terms.

The English rugby player Maro Itoje plays for the English National Team and the English Championship club Saracens as a lock or blindside flanker. While playing for Saracens, the 28-year-old star won three European Rugby Champions Cup titles and five English Premiership titles.

The New Zealander, Dan Carter, is regarded as the greatest ever first five-eighth in the history of rugby and holds the record as the highest point scorer in test match rugby. The retired New Zealand rugby union player, at the age of 41, left a remarkable legacy when he played for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks, as well as with the Crusaders Rugby Club.

Owen Farrell, the captain of the England national team, has been representing England internationally since 2012, scoring over 1,000 points in more than 100 tests. Considered one of the highest point scorers in test history, the 31-year-old fly-half has become the English's highest-paid player after agreeing on a new contract with Saracens.

The retired New Zealand professional rugby union player received many awards, including three-time World Rugby Player of the Year and World Rugby Player of the Decade in 2021. Richie McCaw, the former captain of the New Zealand national team, has a net worth of £2.4 million.

Daniel Biggar, a Welsh rugby union player, currently serves as a fly-half for the French Top 14 team Toulon. The 33-year-old athlete is reportedly earning around £2.4 million.

The South African professional rugby union player ranks among the highest-paid rugby stars globally, particularly acclaimed for his finishing skills and side-stepping ability. At 29 years old, Cheslin Kolbe ranks as the world's richest rugby player with an estimated net worth of £2.4 million.

The South African professional rugby union player, Handré Pollard, plays for both the South Africa national team and Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby. At the age of 29, Handré ranks among the highest-earning rugby players today with a total annual income of £1.52 million and a net worth of £4 million.

Born on 15 November 1996, the captain of the France national team, Antoine Dupont, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the world. Nicknamed ‘the Gifted’, the scrum-half for Top 14 club Toulouse is estimated to earn yearly around £0.5 million and has a net worth of £4 million.

Charles Piutau was the top try scorer for the New Zealand Under-20s in their 2011 World Championship-winning campaign. At the age of 31, the New Zealander fullback represents Tonga at the international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.

As the captain of the Australia national team, the Wallabies, Michael Hooper is a prominent Australian professional rugby union player. At 37 years old, he is one of Australia's most-capped players of all time and currently plays for the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby.

The New Zealand professional rugby union player for Premiership Rugby club Bristol Bears as a flanker. Born on 29 April 1991, Steve Luatua has a net worth of £4 million.

Born on 26 October 1988, Federico Nicolás Sánchez is one of the best Argentine rugby union players who plays as a fly-half for Pro D2 club Brive and the Argentina national team. Since his debut on 21 May 2010, he has earned 74 caps for Argentina and has an estimated net worth of £4 million.

The former French rugby union player played most of his career with Clermont Auvergne as a Scrum-half and occasionally Fly-half. The 34-year-old player earned his first cap for France as a replacement against Scotland in the 2008 Six Nations Championship.

The Australian former professional rugby athlete, Beau Ryan, played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League. The 38-year-old player is also widely recognised as a television presenter, actor, and singer, particularly acclaimed for his performances on The Footy Show.

Mike Tindall, an English former rugby union player, played an outside centre for Bath and Gloucester, earning 75 caps for England from 2000 to 2011. The 44-year-old athlete, who is also a member of the British royal family, was part of the England squad that won the 2003 World Cup.

Among the wealthiest English rugby athletes, Jonny Wilkinson stands as a rugby legend. His name is synonymous with greatness because he is often cited as one of the greatest kickers. The 44-year-old former Newcastle Falcons’ fly-half is particularly remembered for his match-winning drop goal during the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final.

When it comes to All-Blacks legends, Sonny Williams is at the top. The New Zealand former professional rugby player achieved remarkable success, becoming one of just 21 players to win the World Cup twice. The greatest player, now 38 years old, transitioned to heavyweight boxing later.

Sir Tony O'Reilly, 87, is renowned in rugby circles and holds a permanent place in the International Rugby Board's Hall of Fame. The former Irish player had a career that spanned from 1955 to 1970, after which he transitioned to the corporate world.