GRUESOME IMAGE: Picture of Courtney Lawes dislocated thumb revealed

Rugby has long been one of the most brutal sports around but in the modern world of camera phones and social media, never before have the scars of war been shared so openly with the public.

Here are some of the worst rugby injuries:

This was the shocking souvenir Brian O'Driscoll was left with when he collided head-on with Scott Williams during the 2014 Ireland v Wales Six Nations’ match in Dublin.

The South African tighthead prop did not blame Sarries flanker Maro Itoje - whose studs were responsible- for the sickening injury.

Warburton has also been the victim of huge blows to the face, with this one against Leinster a particular shiner. The flanker was taken off after just 13 minutes at the Arms Park and required stitches.

The Wales hooker's modelling career came to a sad end in February when this happened to him during a match for Gloucester. On Twitter, he accused his opponent of trying to steal his nose!

The Bath flanker resumed his career despite suffering permanent eye damage in an October 2010 collision with Gloucester’s Charlie Sharples.