Rugby

“We’re Paid Peanuts”: England Rugby Stars Call for Salaries to Be Made Public

Published 15 Oct 2026 Updated 15 Oct 2026 at 11:49 AM

by Dzikamai Matara

3 min read

England rugby internationals have questioned why professional players' earnings remain a closely guarded secret
Two prominent players believe greater transparency could change how clubs negotiate contracts and reward talent
The debate also raises questions about rugby's commercial growth and how players can secure fairer pay

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England internationals Courtney Lawes and Ellis Genge want English Premiership rugby clubs to make player salaries public, arguing that greater transparency could improve contract negotiations and help the sport attract more fans.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast on 14 October 2026, the pair questioned why rugby still treats earnings as a private matter when football and other major sports widely discuss salaries.

Lawes acknowledged that rugby players cannot expect higher wages without the sport generating more revenue.

“If we haven’t got the audience, if we can’t generate the income, then how can we expect to get paid as much as these other massive organisations?” he said, according to Planet Rugby.

Ellis Genge explains why rugby salaries should be public

Genge believes publishing player earnings would make salary discussions more accessible to supporters while giving players better information when negotiating contracts.

“I’m aware of how much cricketers and footballers earn,” he said, explaining that earnings often become a talking point among fans and players.

The Bristol prop also argued that salary transparency could help less established players assess whether they were being paid fairly compared with teammates in similar positions.

He recalled wondering about other players' earnings when he was younger because the information could have strengthened his negotiating position.

Genge said the issue was particularly relevant to squad players who regularly perform well but may not receive the same financial recognition as others.

“We’ve all been dictated to with our contracts, as opposed to the market being open and driving conversation around money,” he said.

Courtney Lawes says rugby must grow its commercial appeal

Lawes described professional rugby players as being paid “peanuts” compared with athletes in some other major sports. However, he acknowledged that rugby's earning potential depends on its ability to generate revenue.

The debate comes as Premiership Rugby continues to operate a salary-cap system intended to regulate club spending. Its published regulations outline the framework governing player remuneration, although Lawes and Genge's proposed changes focus on making individual salaries more transparent.

The discussion highlights a broader challenge for professional rugby: balancing financial sustainability, player welfare and fair compensation while growing the sport's commercial appeal.

Neither player was announcing a confirmed league-wide policy change. Instead, their comments put salary transparency on the agenda as a possible way to improve negotiations and engage supporters.

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