World’s richest ever rugby player has net worth £34m more than England icon Mike Tindall

The rugby industry has experienced a significant wealth surge, with top players raking in millions through endorsements, media deals, and sponsorships. The global rugby market was valued at £3.29 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach £5.

16 billion by 2030. In 2024, Simon McDowell, a former Irish rugby player whose career was cut short by injury, topped the list of the world's wealthiest rugby players with a net worth of £44.28million.



After retiring, McDowell transitioned to a successful career as an umpire and notably runs the McDowell family's thriving Kilwaughter Chemical Company, which provides products to the construction and agriculture industries. Sonny Bill Williams follows with a net worth of £20.5 million, having earned his fortune through his exceptional careers in rugby union, rugby league, and boxing, alongside lucrative endorsement deals with global brands such as Adidas and Powerade.

Jonny Wilkinson, celebrated for his game-winning drop goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, has a net worth of £17.42 million, a result of his rugby career with both Newcastle Falcons and Toulon, as well as his business ventures and endorsement deals. Mike Tindall , who became a household name thanks to his marriage to Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, boasts a net worth of £16.

4 million. While his rugby career was impressive, his media presence-through appearances on reality TV shows-has also helped him amass significant wealth over the years. At 30 years of age, Handré Pollard is the youngest on the list, boasting a net worth of £2.

46 million. The South African fly-half has already enjoyed an impressive career, playing a key role in South Africa's triumph at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. With his continued success at Leicester Tigers, Pollard is set for further financial prosperity in the future.

The worldwide rugby industry has seen substantial growth, with the 2023 Rugby World Cup generating a whopping £1.55 billion in expenditure and contributing a net input of £749.06 million to the French economy.

.