My brother-in-law just recently saw his first Rugby match (in the flesh, not on TV). He was a former Big-10 football (USA style) line backer (some 50+ years ago), and was stunned! He remarked afterwards that US football players are wimps compared to the Rugby players! I just smiled, (having spent my formative years in Ireland) and told him I agreed. (I never played Rugby, just Cricket, and a little Football (soccer).