Get the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

French rugby’s highest earners have been revealed and it may not surprise you Toulon’s Wales and Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny is among the front-runners.

The Midi Olympique magazine, one of the leading authorities on rugby in France, has published a list of the biggest earners in the Top 14 and Halfpenny, who looks set to sign a one year contract extension with European heavyweights Toulon on reportedly improved terms, is already said to be raking in €600,000 a season with the Stade Mayol club.

That puts the 71-times capped Wales full-back joint third on the list.

But even his handsome deal is dwarfed by the contract All Blacks legend Dan Carter is said to be on at Racing 92, with the New Zealand superstar reported to be pocketing in €1.5m a year in the French capital.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

That's more than double that of Toulon's Matt Giteau, with the Wallabies ace reported to be on €700,000 a season and in second place.

Toulon's Duane Vermeulen as well as Stade Francais' Rabah Slimani bring in €600,000 to be alongside Halfpenny in third spot while Ma’a Nonu (Toulon), Bismarck Du Plessis (Montpellier), Sergio Parisse (Stade Français), Colin Slade (Pau), Johan Goosen (ex-Racing 92), and Census Johnston (Toulouse) earn approximately €500,000.

Slimani is the highest-paid French player while Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse), Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Luc Ducalcon (Racing 92) and Yacouba Camara (Toulouse) are the other top local earners, all on €500,000 per season.