Top 14
Sexton set to top France pay league
ESPN Staff
April 9, 2013
Leinster's Jonathan Sexton exploits some space, Leinster v Cardiff Blues, Heineken Cup quarter-final, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, April 7, 2012
Jonathan Sexton is poised to swap Leinster colours for those of Racing Metro next season © Getty Images
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Racing Metro-bound fly-half Jonathan Sexton will reportedly be the highest paid player in France Top 14 next season.

Top 14's Highest Earners (2013-14)*

  • Jonathan Sexton (Racing Métro) €55,000 per month
  • Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) €47,000
  • Bryan Habana (Toulon) €42,000
  • Nicolas Mas (Montpellier) €38,000
  • James Hook (Perpignan) €35,000
  • *Source: Midi Olympique - figures do not account for tax or bonuses

The Ireland international is set to confirm a switch from PRO12 side Leinster to Paris-based Racing Metro having announced earlier this season that he would be quitting Ireland at the end of the current domestic campaign.

Earlier reports suggested the 27-year-old had turned down a new contract from the Irish Rugby Football Union valued at €450,000 a year in favour of a two-year deal worth €750,000 a season - bankrolled by Racing's deep-pocketed owner Jacky Lorenzetti.

But respected French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique is now reporting that he will earn €55,000 (£47,000) a month that equates to €660,000 (£562,000) a year - a figure that, according to them, will still make him the best paid player in France's top flight.

His basic earnings, the figures do not account for tax or bonuses, will eclipse those of Jonny Wilkinson, who recently agreed to extend his playing career with Toulon with the former England international set to net a reported €47,000 (£40,000) a month (€564,000/£480,200 a year) - less than what is understood to have been an €800,000-a-year deal signed in 2009.

Completing the top five are South Africa winger Bryan Habana who will join the glittering array of stars at Toulon next season on a deal worth €42,000 (£35,800) a month, Montpellier prop Nicolas Mas (€38,000/£32,000) and Wales international James Hook who will earn €35,000 (£30,000) a month at Perpignan.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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