An Irishman heads up the five-man list of players who’ve gone on to amass huge fortunes.

According to a Ruck.co.uk compilation of the players with the biggest net worths in rugby, Ireland’s Simon McDowell tops the list with fortune of around R715 million.

Scotsman Sir Bill Gammell is the second richest, with an estimated R662m in earnings.

Englishman Jonny Wilkinson is third with a net worth of R273m, followed by compatriot Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Phillips, the second-eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth. Tindall’s fortune is said to be in the region of R268m.

And topping of the list is New Zealand’s Sonny Bill Williams. The two-time World Cup winner amassed his R198m fortune from numerous huge contracts across multiple sports.

Richest rugby players ever:

– Simon McDowell (R715m, Ireland)
– Bill Gammell (R662, Scotland)
– Jonny Wilkinson (R273m, England)
– Mike Tindall (R268m, England)
– Sonny Bill Williams (R198m, New Zealand)

Photo: Getty Images