Ranking the Biggest Hits in World Rugby for Weekend of December 4-6

This week, we have a combination of hard chargers who obliterated the men in their path, and illegal shots that, while flooring their targets, also cost their exponents a spell on the sidelines.

We have awarded a classic cover tackle the No. 1 status, however, for its timing and execution in denying a certain five points.

Here are your five big hits of the week.

5. Ashley Johnson, Wasps

Wasps' Ashley Johnson has converted to hooker this season, but it's not just in the scrum where he is putting his powerful, spherical physique to good use.

There was no stopping the South African from short range as he blasted two Exeter defenders out of his way for a try in what would ultimately be a defeat for the Coventry side.

4. Leicester Tigers' Graham Kitchener Through Pennell

England hopeful Chris Pennell will need to show better defensive strength than the effort that failed to stop the charging Graham Kitchener as Leicester fought back to beat Worcester.

The Tigers' second row bounced the full-back out of his path to set the East Midlanders on their way to overturning the lead Dean Ryan's men had built.

3. Julien Bardy, Clermont Auvergne

You might like to take your pick as to which element of Julien Bardy's hit on Brive fly-half Matthieu Ugalde deserved a yellow card.

It was late, possibly high and certainly lacking much of an attempt to wrap arms around the player. But it was a mighty, big hit.

2. Nigel Hunt, Grenoble

Grenoible replacement Nigel Hunt is another who forgot to use his arms at the weekend as he knocked La Rochelle's Jone Qovu into the middle of next week.

He left the referee with no option but to send him for a 10-minute sit-down after this hit, which you can see at 2:21.

1. Simon Zebo, Munster

Ireland wing Simon Zebo showed perfect technique and no little strength to deny Dragons' Carl Meyer a try as Munster went down 22-6.

The Lions man was fast enough to reach the full-back and powerful enough to smash him into touch with the try line begging.

Textbook stuff.