Leinster Rugby head into 2026-27 as back-to-back United Rugby Championship winners, but with Leo Cullen counting down his final season in charge, the province’s wage bill and its biggest earners are once again in the spotlight. Leinster have 11 centrally contracted players going into the season, meaning the province pays only 40% of their salaries, with the IRFU covering the remaining 60%. RG Snyman during Leinster rugby squad training at UCD in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/SportsfileOn that split, the €6m wage bill for the players above costs Leinster just €2.4m, with the union picking up €3.6m. Leinster remain the dominant force in the URC and have the talent to finally land a fifth European crown.