If there are three things we can be certain of in life, it's death, taxes and the occasional mass brawl in French club rugby. This one involved RC Montauban in the third division, and while we don't know what started it, the quality of fighting won't get Dana White's attention any time soon.
If you look closely, there's also a chance that there was some friendly fire at one point.
Apologies. Thanks for the clarification!
I forgot about that one Vlad! Definitely should have been a red card had it been seen!
Not a KO, but a flooring punch - https://youtu.be/RLoExeByUiE
To enrich the collection. Not strictly a punch but still a KO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7tM9xpo5lo
https://youtu.be/CdNObgWW3jY
Not quite as impressive as the one against Sheridan, but if we're reminiscing about the good ol' days then I guess this fits the bill..
Fair enough! How the hell did i forget those?
Tuilagi's doesn't count though, the punch looked impressive but he was off balance and his feet were off the floor... no power, hence Ashton keeping his feet
Youngs was dropped like a sack of spuds, didn't seem to be too shaken by it, straight back to his feet
Chabal damn near murdered that guy. Acting innocent after is hilarious... "No Seabass, he didn't headbutt your fist. He is still breathing, so it won't be a red, go take 10"
Hahah, ok, the last 2 were fair enough! First one was horrendous and probably lucky that Tuilagi even connected...not sure why the video is labelled 'knock out'..but it's YouTube I guess!
Last one with Chantal, was a proper clout, guys legs crumbled!
I beg your pardon?
https://youtu.be/HgF_jfNnBlo
https://youtu.be/SQzgCjwdpnU
https://youtu.be/OmHD1z5J4Jo
He did say 20 years...
I beg your pardon?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbPQ68NbWCU
With regard to Ice Hockey - the toll it took on the enforcers was/is absolutely brutal.
Have you read the book about Dereck Boogaard, "Boy on Ice: The Life and Death of Derek Googard"? I've always appreciated the fact that rugby doesn't allow fighting. I do agree, though, that at the lower levels it does happen more often than higher up. But it tends to be more of a scuffle between two players that a ref might be able to manage vs the 2 red cards given out in the pro-game.
https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Ice-Boogaard-Branch-Hardcover/dp/B011W9KVY2/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_2/131-5938208-2721565?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VSMBS6CK01J49MDW5RGQ
Having had my teeth rattled by an almighty pillow smite, I can safely say pillow fights have the ability to be dangerous... especially feather pillows if they clump at one end like a ball!
It isn't just in France.
From experience, London SE Premier, and the lower South West Divisions are war zones... over the hill players salvaging pride with less than subtle violence, and young upstarts refusing to take a backwards step.
The biggest differences between Amateur and Pro rugby are the cameras and refs. Players go out with the specific intention of giving digs, safe in the knowledge it won't be replayed 200x at 1fps. They aren't earning a living from it, so who cares if they get a lifetime ban? It is one way to make the newspaper
In 20 years of watching this sport, the only clean knockdown I have seen was Julian White vs Andrew Sheridan. Nobody seems to be able to throw a solid punch, ducking your head and windmilling overhand rights like an Ice Hockey player looks impressive, but carries as much clout as a pillow fight.
I think that is why they allow striking retaliation in SH Rugby League, much less damage than a shoulder charge/high shot, and it keeps a lid on things. Injury rates increased in the NHL when fighting was outlawed, with no physical response allowed to cheap shots dirty players were more willing to get nasty and hurt someone, safe in the knowledge they won't be battered bare knuckle by a bloke the size of Etzebeth.
This is actually a conspiracy against Le French's, if you look closely, you'll see most of the players are from an Asian background!
Le fraud!
Classic sunday brawl, just for the info, it's actually fifth division, and third at amateur level. In French amateurs leagues, you'll have a good brawl every other game. But after the game we all have a pint or two together.