RANKED: Rugby Union's 5 Hardest Hitters of All Time

Seen as one of the toughest tacklers in Premiership history, Burger rose to the challenge of carrying his nation almost single-handedly with gusto and relish at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. His nose bears testament to the battering he's taken in the process. Flat as a pancake, that schnoz. Fair play.

French fly-half Jules Plisson learnt a lesson in physics in the harshest possible way as the 18st frame of Lawes almost scythed him in two. Those sort of hits have become a trademark of the Northampton, England and Lions forwards career.

In terms of big tackles and commitment, Springbok Burger is someone who comes straight to mind. The 32-year old made an incredible comeback from a life-threatening illness to play for South Africa again, which earned him the Comeback of the Year Award at the Laureus World Sports Awards

No one who ever encountered Collins on the rugby field would forget the experience. The All Black flanker played with no concern for his safety and pound for pound, hit harder than anyone.

Who could forget when he thundered into Colin Charvis in 2003 and the Welsh hard man was unconscious before he even hit the deck? Or the way Collins and the Springboks' equally tough Schalk Burger would knock lumps out of each other in tests.

Collins never asked for any quarter, never expected it and never gave it. That's how he won global respect.

In 2003, Samoan hardman Lima landed one of the most bone-crushing hits in the history of the RWC (and probably in the history of rugby in general) against South Africa’s Derick Hougaard.

He well and truly earned his nickname, 'the Chiropractor'.