Ranking the Biggest Hits in World Rugby for Weekend of November 20-22

Bleacher Report's biggest hits make a thumping return this week, after the big guns of European rugby collided and the Champions Cup reclaimed centre stage.

Not only did Northampton Saints triumph at Glasgow Warriors, but George Pisi made sure to inflict further embarrassment on the Scots with one of the best tackles he's likely to deliver this season.

Meanwhile, a clash between Ulster and Saracens at Ravenhill produced more than one contentious crashing-together of bodies, and Wasps whiz Frank Halai thundered his way into our countdown.

Read on for all that and more as we run through the biggest hits in world rugby this weekend.

Honourable Mention: Bakkies Botha's Attempted Conversion Strike

He might be regarded as one of the toughest men to have played in the modern era, but Bakkies Botha gave us a glimpse at his more playful side during the Barbarians' 49-31 defeat to Argentina on Saturday.

It was only too fitting that former South Africa lock partner Victor Matfield scored a last-gasp try for the Baa Baas, and Botha fancied his chances with a range effort from the right touchline.

It was an attempt even the most gifted of kickers would have found troubling, but Botha kept the Barbarians' trademark tradition of fun and flair alive with this dismal (but oh-so-entertaining) boot.

5. Billy Vunipola Binned After Rocking Iain Henderson

There were some who felt aggrieved that Saracens No. 8 Billy Vunipola picked up a yellow card on Friday evening for his attempted tackle on Ulster's Iain Henderson, and it's all too understandable as to why.

Granted, the England international cut across to land a big blow on the 6'6" Henderson, but the Irishman's last-minute detour in direction meant matters were taken ever so slightly—but very significantly—out of Vunipola's hands.

Referee Romain Poite didn't take the offence quite so lightly, and Vunipola's reward was a yellow card, although Henderson showed he was tough enough to brush the swing off and persevere.

4. Nemani Nadolo Mismatched Against Santiago Cordero

David versus Goilath is a classic tale of the meek taking on the mighty and prevailing against all the odds, but Argentina's Santiago Cordero had no such fortune in one very particular head-to-head with Nemani Nadolo on Saturday.

With the Pumas 30 points ahead in the 59th minute, the Fiji winger did his part to fire the Baa Baas back up, nudging Cordero out of his path with ease, before Joe Tomane went on to score from the break.

3. Frank the Tank Busts Through Toulon Defence

Frank Halai was brought to the Ricoh Arena with an already-brilliant reputation from his time in Auckland with the Blues, but a dazzling display in the win over Toulon on Sunday saw his profile soar once again.

The Wasps summer arrival took the direct route early on against the reigning European champions, coming off his wing to sit Maxime Mermoz down as the English risers rallied to claim a 32-6 win over Toulon.

The break eventually set up No. 8 Nathan Hughes for his first try of the match, while Mermoz was left asking whether anybody caught the license plate.

2. Andrew Trimble Brought Down to Earth

The Belfast audience was left incensed on Friday after Saracens flanker Michael Rhodes misjudged his tackle on an airborne Andrew Trimble and ended up leaving Ulster's wing in a worrying heap.

As the video above shows, BT Sport commentator Austin Healey called for the South African to be shown his marching orders as a result of the hit, but yellow was as far as things went for Rhodes.

With no apparent effort to allow Trimble to gather his footing before laying down his tackle, it's little wonder Ravenhill's home audience were calling for Rhodes to be shown red, and Poite was perhaps too lenient in his punishment.

1. George Pisi Sees Past Glasgow Warriors Ruse

At the very opposite end of the tackle timing scale, we saw Northampton's Pisi shake Glasgow's Mark Bennett up with a tremendous knock on Saturday that itself looked to verge on the edge of the rulebook.

However, the Samoa international appeared to attempt a wrapping of the arms, and any claims of lateness didn't have too much ammunition since Bennett had just dropped the pass under pressure.

And who wouldn't with a figure like Pisi running towards them at full pelt? Bennett took his time to recover from a charge that was extremely close to being high, but Pisi kept his run in check enough to reap the benefits.