Ranking the Biggest Hits in World Rugby for Weekend of December 11-13

The European Champions Cup pool stage reached its halfway point at the weekend and there was plenty of passion on display as sides continue to jockey for quarter-final spots.

This week we have a quartet of hits from the action, combining foul play with powerful tackles that levelled their intended targets with resounding effectiveness.

One game into his career as a Racing 92 player, we welcome Dan Carter to the biggest hits collection. Not for a tackle he made, mind you—the former New Zealand international has seldom been one for the bone-shaking reducer—but for a hit he received.

The identity of his English assailant will not come as a shock.

Enjoy.

4. Jean-Baptiste Dubie

Bordeaux Begles' Jean-Baptiste Dubie was shown the red card for this high shot on Ospreys' Dan Biggar.

The Welsh fly-half had kicked ahead when the wing followed through with a late, high arm that connected with Biggar's chin and floored him.

The hit left referee JP Doyle with little choice other than to give the offending player his marching orders.

3. Dug Codjo

Oyonnax may have been well beaten by Saracens, but they at least fired a few shots as they went down.

One of the best was issued by left wing Dug Codjo, who buried Chris Wyles as the Sarries man came into midfield (39:34).

The American quickly picked himself up to finish the move with Saracens' third try.

2. Taqele Naiyaravoro

Glasgow's Taqele Naiyaravoro was in fine form as the Pro12 champions downed the Scarlets, bagging a hat-trick of tries against the Welsh outfit.

He also made his bulk felt by plenty of Scarlets defenders, with this bosh on tighthead prop Rhodri Jones the pick of his hard-charging raids on the Welsh side.

It was the try he didn't score that was perhaps most impressive, battering his way past three defenders after collecting a clearance out on the right wing, but he was deemed to have had a toenail in touch and the score was chalked off. Just as well he was awarded another three.

1. Courtney Lawes

With Northampton the visitors to Racing 92 for Dan Carter's debut, it was little surprise that it was Saints' Courtney Lawes who took it upon himself to welcome the All Blacks legend to Champions Cup rugby.

The England second row lined the World Cup winner up for one of his trademark smashes as Carter orchestrated a Racing attack, and levelled the Kiwi as he shipped the ball on (4:12 in the video).

Carter took his licks like a man and steered his side to a comfortable victory nonetheless.