- 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
Source: Getty Images
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.
He added that rugby needed to grow its audience and commercial appeal before players could expect to benefit financially.
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.
Source: Getty Images
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.
Springboks’ squad depth draws praise from former England international
Briefly News previously reported that former England international Ugo Monye believes the Springboks have the squad depth to challenge for another Rugby World Cup title in 2027.
Monye backed South Africa after their 3-1 series victory over New Zealand in September 2026, arguing that even the team's second-string side could compete with leading international teams.
Source: Briefly News
Authors:
Hot: