The dirtiest rugby players of all time – ranked

Rugby is a game of controlled aggression, but some players have taken that aggression to, let's say, questionable extremes. Whether it's swinging fists, late tackles, or an uncanny ability to find themselves in the sin bin, these players have left their mark on the sport – and their opponents. Here's our ranking of rugby's dirtiest ever players.

Flannery played on the edge – and sometimes well beyond it. His most infamous moment came in 2010, when he launched a flying kick into Alexis Palisson’s ribs during the Six Nations. Somehow, he avoided a red card but got a six-week ban, as ABC reported at the time.

A master at disrupting the opposition, Pocock often flirted with the laws at the breakdown. While not a thug, he was one of the best at "accidentally" ending up off his feet or pushing the limits of what referees would allow. His tactics made him one of the most frustrating players to play against.

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Few players struck fear into opponents like Chabal. His bone-crunching tackles were often borderline legal, and some were outright illegal. In a game where violence is expected, Chabal took it to another level, regularly leaving his victims in a heap on the ground.

One of England's greatest captains, Johnson was also a master of the dark arts. From stamping and swinging elbows to sneaky punches, he knew exactly what he could get away with – and usually did. There's a fair argument to call him the dirtiest captain of all time.

A world-class flanker with a nasty streak, Burger's most infamous moment came in the 2009 British & Irish Lions series, when he gouged Luke Fitzgerald's eye just 32 seconds into the match. Despite somehow avoiding a red card, he copped an eight-week ban and plenty of backlash.

The Samoan wrecking ball had little regard for self-preservation – or for the safety of others. His tackling technique mostly involved leading with the shoulder and letting fate decide the rest. While he was beloved by fans, opponents often found themselves needing an ice bath after facing him.

Papé was the ultimate enforcer – reckless, violent, and always in trouble. Over his career, he was guilty of punching, stamping, kneeing, and countless cheap shots. His most disgraceful moment came in 2015, when he kneed Jamie Heaslip in the back so hard it fractured his vertebrae, as Radio New Zealand reported. He ended up on the sidelines for 10 weeks.

One of the most infamous incidents in English club rugby involved Calum Clark deliberately breaking Leicester's Rob Hawkins' arm in a Premiership final. The act earned him a 32-week suspension, and while he had talent, his reputation for reckless play overshadowed his career.

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Le Roux's legacy is tied to one infamous act – biting Sean Fitzpatrick's ear so badly that stitches were required. Rugby had no choice but to slap him with a 19-month ban, effectively ending his career. "For an 18-month suspension, I feel I probably should have torn it off. Then at least I could say, 'Look, I've returned to South Africa with the guy's ear,'" he later lamented, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.

Danny Grewcock was a menace on the field. Over a career riddled with bans, he was punished for biting, punching, stamping, and elbowing. His 2007 citing for stamping on Thibault Privat's head was just one example of his on-field chaos.

New Zealand rugby has produced plenty of tough men, but few were as unapologetically dirty as Loe. His off-the-ball elbow smash on Paul Carozza left the Australian with a broken nose, while his eye-gouging antics against fellow AB Greg Cooper earned him a nine-month suspension.

On that note, one of rugby's worst-ever eye-gouging incidents involved France's David Attoub in 2009 during a Heineken Cup match, when he shoved his fingers deep into Stephen Ferris's eyes. The shocking act earned him a 70-week ban, one of the longest in rugby history. ERC disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett described Attoub's actions as "the worst act of contact with the eyes that I have had to deal with," per ESPN.

Nicknamed "The Chiropractor" for his ability to rearrange spines, Lima's tackling style was closer to a guided missile strike than a legal rugby hit. Lima played with a total disregard for safety, and his full-speed, no-arms shoulder charges were known to knock out opponents – and himself on one notable occasion during a 1997 Super 12 game.

Botha was a walking suspension risk, known for headbutting, punching, and deliberately injuring opponents. His list of offenses includes headbutting Jimmy Cowan, breaking Adam Jones' shoulder, and stomping on players at will. Botha played like he was out for revenge every time he took the field.

The king of the sin bin, Hartley racked up a ridiculous 60 weeks' worth of suspensions across his career. Biting, eye-gouging, elbowing, and even verbally abusing a referee – Hartley did it all. He even cost himself a Lions tour due to an 11-week ban for calling Wayne Barnes a cheat in a Premiership final, as Rugby Pass reported.

For those counting at home, we had three from South Africa and France, two from Samoa, one each from Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, and four from England. Make of that what you will.

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