"Never forgiven" - Rugby's five biggest thugs of all-time ranked

Here are, in RUCK's opinion, the 5 dirtiest rugby players in history.

A second row with something of a short fuse. Picked up a five-week ban after being sent off for kicking All Blacks hooker Anton Oliver in a Test in Dunedin in 1998, two weeks for punching Lawrence Dallaglio in a club match in 2003, two months for biting All Black hooker Keven Mealamu during the first Lions Test in 2005, six weeks for punching French lock Thibault Privat in 2007, and seven weeks for stamping on Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris in 2010. Knew his way to the disciplinary offices and deserves his place among the dirtiest rugby players!

Known as The Enforcer, All Blacks prop Loe had something of a reputation. In October 1992, his actions caught up with him when he was found guilty of deliberately inserting his fingers into the eyes of Otago full-back Greg Cooper “with considerable force” during the national championship final.

Breathe deeply. 60 weeks of incoming bans.

In April 2007, the Northampton hooker was suspended for 26 weeks for ripping off Wasps duo James Haskell and Jonny O’Connor.

In March 2012, he was suspended for eight weeks for biting Irish flanker Stephen Ferris while on duty in England at Twickenham.

In December 2012, he was given a two-week suspension for hitting Rory Best of Ulster.

In May 2013, he was suspended for 11 weeks for abusing referee Wayne Barnes in the Saints ‘Premiership final loss to Leicester, missing the Lions’ tour of Australia.

In December 2014, he was suspended for three weeks for nudging Tigers winger Matt Smith, and then in May 2015, he was suspended for four weeks for hitting his Saracens counterpart Jamie George, this which led him to be excluded from England’s World Cup plans.

In 2016, he caught Leinster’s Sean O’Brien in the head with a swinging arm from behind, saving a red card which was followed by a six-week suspension.

At least that’s it now that he’s hung up his boots!

The Springbok lock certainly totted up the bans. Eight weeks for “attacking the face” of Aussie hooker Brendan Cannon in 2003; three weeks for striking another Wallaby, Phil Waugh, in 2009; two matches for an illegal clear out on Adam Jones in the second Lions Test in the same year; four weeks for a similar offence on Gio Aplon in 2010; and nine weeks for a headbutt on Jimmy Cowan in 2010. Unarguably one of the dirtiest rugby players ever.

The rugby community have never forgave or forgotten the one-cap England international for breaking Rob Hawkins elbow. The ban was initially for 64 weeks, but was halved due to his guilty plea.