RUGBY union shrugs off violence on the pitch as a part of the game.

But would someone show me, where, in the rule book, does it say that a player can clench his fist and ram it into the face of an unsuspecting opponent?

It happens every week at all levels and the people who run the sport appear determined to do nothing about it.

They had the perfect opportunity to send a message out to the violent element who play their sport when England captain Martin Johnson punched an opponent.

All they did was give him a three week ban which equates to a slap on the wrist and serves as a mandate to thugs to be as vicious as they like on the rugby field.