Rugby Union has some pretty tough hitters. But when it comes to the hardest hits, there are some whose career shoves and tackles make everyone else’s pale in comparison.
These are the top 5 hardest hitters to ever play the game
5. Jacques Burger
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.
4. Courtney Lawes
French fly-halfJules 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 Saints stars career.
3. Sebastien Chabal
The Frenchman is another who never took a backward step. An absolute legend.
2. Alesana Tuilagi
1. Brian Lima
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'.
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