The Six Nations is well under way, and the top players in professional rugby will compete for one of the most prestigious accolades in the sport. Playing at an international level and being selected for tournaments like the Six Nations represents the peak of their career for many players.
With this success comes financial reward, and lots of players in the Six Nations are earning significant sums from both their international appearances and club contracts.
Naturally, clubs do not always publish the exact earnings of players, but there are estimates that give an indication of the level of financial reward that the top players in the world enjoy.
These are three of the highest-paid players in the 2026 Six Nations.
1. Antoine Dupont
After sustaining a serious knee injury in the 2025 Six Nations, Antoine Dupont was forced to take eight months out to recover, missing the rest of the season. Fortunately for France, their captain returned to the pitch for Toulouse in November 2025 and will lead the team in the 2026 Six Nations.
Many regard Dupont as the best rugby player in the world right now, and his earnings reflect this.
According to Ruck, Dupont signed a four-year contract extension with Toulouse at the end of 2025, meaning he will stay with the club until at least 2031. To secure the contract, the club offered a staggering salary, reportedly worth £1.2 million per season, potentially making Dupont the highest-paid player in the world.
2. Finn Russell
Antoine Dupont may currently have the most lucrative contract, but Finn Russell was previously thought to hold this title, and his estimated earnings are not far behind his French counterpart.
In 2025, rumours spread of a potential move for Russell, with several clubs interested in signing him. However, Bath managed to fend off any attempts to lure him away with a new contract, which runs until 2028.
At the time, Ruck reported that Russell would bring in £1 million a season, making him the highest-earning player, until Dupont signed his recent contract.
3. Maro Itoje
England captain Maro Itoje is arguably one of the most influential players in the Premiership right now. In 2025, he reached 100 international caps, and since going professional in 2012, has won countless titles.
The most recent estimates from Ruck suggest that his achievements have earned him a healthy salary, which puts him among the highest-paid players in the world.
Although not quite at the level of Dupont or Russell, he is thought to be earning £800,000 a season from Saracens, and this figure could be closer to £1 million when RFU hybrid arrangements are taken into account.
How much do players earn for appearing in the Six Nations?
The amount that players earn for appearing in the Six Nations varies depending on the country and the specific arrangements they have in place. The structure of payments might change from year to year, too.
According to Huge Rugby, players in the England squad have, in previous years, earned a flat fee of £75,000 for playing in the tournament. This figure is fixed, regardless of how many minutes players spend on the pitch.
Then there is the prize money for teams in the Six Nations. While the amount changes each year, Ruck estimated that in the 2025 tournament the prize would be:
- £6.5 million for first place
- £3.5 million for runners-up
- £2.5 million for third place
- £2 million for fourth place
- £1.5 million for fifth place
- £1 million for sixth place.
Bear in mind that the players will not see all this prize money. A portion of it may be shared among the squad, but there are also considerable costs involved with attending the Six Nations and other international tournaments. As such, clubs may use the winnings to fund future efforts.
Professional financial advice is crucial if you have an irregular income
Even if you do not match the salaries of players such as Dupont, Russell, or Itoje, you could still earn significant sums from playing professional rugby. Additionally, as the large contracts of these players and the pay structure for the Six Nations demonstrate, your income could be very irregular.
That is why it is useful to work with a financial planner so you can manage your variable income and ensure you are meeting your short-term obligations, while working towards long-term financial aims.
Get in touch
To discuss the best ways to manage a variable income, email enquiries@dbl-am.com or call 01625 529 499 to speak to us today.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.