ANOTHER CALENDAR YEAR of rugby has almost come to a close and we are taking this opportunity to remember the players who put their bodies in harms way for their team. Unfortunately, Irish players were struck down more than most but these photos really showcase just how tough professional players are in this sport.
Noel Reid tries to play on after an encounter with Freddy and/or Jason
Johnny Sexton realises his World Cup is probably over
Scott Baldwin is distraught after leaving the field for Wales
Paul O’Connell tries to stand after tearing his hamstring off the bone
Aaron Dundon gets medical attention after taking a high tackle
Chris Henry catches a glimpse of himself as Rambo on the big screen
The weird thing is that this is probably a relatively healthy knee
Wonder how Shane Delahunt got this blood injury?
Zebre’s Dion Berryman gets some ice
Jamie Cudmore picks up yet another concussion
Fergus McFadden after breaking his thumb in the Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon
Even a leg injury couldn’t take Robbie Henshaw out of the Six Nations clash with England
Clermont’s Fritz Lee decides against a stretcher
They love a bloody prop down in Munster – ask Stephen Archer
Even schoolboys play through the pain sometimes