Cash money.

While rugby is still nowhere near the likes of football when it comes to salaries, the sport has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years.

Millionaires and billionaires have pumped cash into clubs in France and England, forcing other nations to up their budgets in order to keep some of their biggest names.

Here are the Top 10 highest paid rugby players in the world right now.

1. Israel Folau £1.14m

The Wallaby fullback put an end to all speculation back in October, signing a bumper new four-year contract that makes him the highest paid player in the world.

2. Dan Carter £1.1m

He may have been on £1.4m at Racing 92, but Dan Carter isn’t getting a bad wage off Japanese club Kobe Steelers. He was recently named MVP and guided them to the Top League title. Money well spent it seems.

3. Matt Giteau £1.1m

The former Toulon man is loving life in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath, already guiding them to a domestic title and pocketing a pretty tasty wage.

4. Charles Piutau £1m

The former All Black left Ulster over the summer to sign a bumper deal with Pat Lam’s Bristol. Missed the start of the season through injury, but if he can get back to his best it will be money well spent.

5. Aaron Cruden £680,000

Part of a huge summer of recruitment a couple of years back that saw head coach Vern Cotter, Louis Picamoles and Ruan Pienaar come in too. Montpellier still haven’t managed any domestic or European honours, but Cruden has been an excellent signing.

6. Steven Luatua £650,000

Recently signed a new deal so this figure may be slightly higher. Bristol’s current captain and a key player. Has been worth every penny so far.

7. Johnny Sexton £640,000

Tough to figure out exactly what Sexton is on, but we’ve a fair idea. Recently signed a new deal that likely made him overtake Murray once again after the scrumhalf’s brief stint at the top of the Irish pay charts.

8. Conor Murray £625,000

No doubt turned down much more lucrative offers to sign on with Munster and Ireland once again a few months back. Arguably the best nine in the world. Money well spent if you ask us.

9. Dan Biggar £600,000

Northampton’s big summer signing seems to have gone down in the pecking order for Wales since his move but has looked sharp for the Premiership side.

10. Nicolas Sanchez £580,000

The Argentine playmaker recently joined the Stade Francais revolution, backed by German billionaire Hans-Peter Wild, who’s paying him a pretty penny.

*Some figures are not entirely accurate.

[WalesOnline]