Jonny Sexton looks set to become the highest earner in France when he moves to the Top 14 next season.
By Declan Whooley
The French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique reports that the Leinster out-half is set to pocket €55,000 a month when he puts pen to paper on a deal with Racing Metro, making him far and away the top earner in the country.
The paper says that the figure quoted would be after social contributions have been paid but before tax has been deducted, and separate from any bonuses that might be included in his contract.
That would put him well ahead of fellow out-half Jonny Wilkinson, who recently signed an extension to his deal at Toulon, though his €47,000 a month deal is down from his deal signed in 2009, a trend in the Top 14 as clubs are looking to reduce their costs.
In fact Montpellier, beaten quarter-finalists in the Heineken Cup at the weekend, are the only club expected to increase their playing budget for next season.
After Sexton and Wilkinson, Bryan Habana and Nicolas Mas (€42,000 and €38,000 respectively per month) are next on the list, while James Hook surprisingly makes up the top five earners for the 2013/14 campaign.
The average wage in the Top 14 is €12,000 per month.
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