Italian side Aironi hosted the Ospreys in the final round of RaboDirect Pro12 group stages this weekend, with the visitors grinding out a hard fought 18-11 win. With five minutes left and the win secured, we saw the hit of the match.
The Ospreys chose an experimental side as they’d already earned a final four placing, but the win was valuable nonetheless as it means that they’ll have a home semi final, against Munster.
Late in the game poor Tom Isaacs ended up on the end of a stray George Stowers pass, who ironically usually dishes out these types of hits. Instead his hospital pass set up Aironi flanker Simone Favaro, who smashed the replacement back in a perfectly legal tackle.
Isaacs tweeted about the tackle after the game. “That horrific feeling when you’re winded and you honestly think you’re going to die!!! Anyone seen my ribs?!? #lungslikecrisppackets”
If you listen carefully after the hit you can actually hear Ospreys number ten Dan Biggar come in and give Stowers an absolute mouthful for the pass. It was also nice to hear the referee having a bit of a chat with one of the players, saying that it was a ‘cracking tackle’.
Update: After seeing this post on the site, Isaacs tweeted the following:
So I’ve finally made it onto @Rugbydump! Granted I’m getting absolutely smoked, but either way I’m looking upon it as a success! #ended
— Tom Isaacs (@Tommy_Isaacs) May 7, 2012
He later said “Yes I certainly hope I won’t be on the receiving end of a hit like that again!! Keep up the good work, great website!” You can follow Tom on Twitter @Tommy_Isaacs.
This clip was pointed out by a RD visitor, and might have been missed out if he hadn’t taken the time to mention it. If you saw something this weekend that you feel should be shared with others, please get in touch via the site contact page, Twitter, or Facebook.
Sign In