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How much do British Lions players get paid?
How much do British Lions players get paid?
The Lions begin their summer tour preparations with a match against Argentina in Dublin on Friday night
Maro Itoje and his Lions team-mates are set to make a lot of money this summer
(Image: 2025 Getty Images )
The British & Irish Lions kick off their summer tour this evening with a warm-up game against Argentina in Dublin.
It is the first time in their history that the touring side have played a match in Ireland and head coach Andy Farrell is certainly taking the curtain-raiser seriously.
The Lions boss has named a strong XV to face the Pumas at the Aviva Stadium, with Wales skipper Jac Morgan starting and Welsh scrum-half Tomos Williams being selected on the bench.
Both will have an opportunity to lay down a marker for the upcoming Test series against Australia, with excitement now building for the trip Down Under.
Being selected for the Lions is widely regarded as the ultimate honour for players in the northern hemisphere. Former skipper Sam Warburton said during his playing days: 'To finally get that Test jersey playing the first match against Australia, which we managed to win, that is the only jersey that I have hanging up in my house – that's how proud I am of that one.
'For me that was the biggest and single most important game I have ever played in.
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'When you are playing club rugby, yes you want to play for Wales and I wanted to play for Cardiff but in the back of my mind I always set my sights really high on playing for the Lions.
'There was pressure on the players and as captain I felt a lot of responsibility. That was why it was such a relief to get the Test series win against Australia – an amazing feeling but we also knew that people would be optimistic about the Lions moving forward to the next series.'
Along with the honour of representing the Lions, players also get rewarded financially - and quite handsomely too.
According to the Telegraph, this summer's tour is set to be a record-breaker, with a £10million profit expected. A new profit-sharing agreement will see selected players pocket £100,000 each for their contributions in Australia.
That is a 25 per cent increase on the tour to New Zealand in 2017, which saw players pocket £80,000 for their efforts. The trip to South Africa in 2021 was played behind closed doors due to Covid.
"We know that players love playing for the Lions, and it is the pinnacle of their professional careers, and this landmark agreement highlights how they are at the centre of our thinking," said Lions chief executive Ben Calveley.
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Simon Keogh, Rugby Players Ireland chief executive, added: "Players are central to the ongoing success of the British and Irish Lions Tours and we are delighted that their views – including those of Lions heroes of the past – have been heard throughout this process.
"I'd like to thank the British and Irish Lions for their honesty, transparency, and genuine consideration of the players' voice.
"As a result, I believe that we have reached an agreement that is both fair and reflective of the strong collaboration between all stakeholders in rugby."
