Prop suffers gruesome gash in English rugby debut (Warning: graphic)

Worcester Warriors prop Nick Schonert after receiving 40 stitches. Photo / Twitter

WARNING: graphic imagery

South African prop Nick Schonert has had a bloody introduction to English rugby.

Now playing for the Worcester Warriors after signing from Super 15 side the Cheetahs, Schonert took to Twitter to show off his battle scars following a bruising encounter with English Premiership leaders Saracens at Twickenham over the weekend.

Schonert needed 40 stitches to sew up a nasty gash to the face caused by stud marks during the second-half of the game won 48-18 by Saracens.

The 24-year-old was forced off the pitch following the gruesome incident, but he took to social media to show how the nasty-looking wound has now been patched up.

In the first picture posted on Twitter following the match, Schonert tweeted the instigator Saracens flanker Maro Itoje, saying: 'Check them studs mate!!'

Schonert later posted a second image to assure his followers that he is recovering well, writing: 'All cleaned up!! Was just unlucky but I know it wasn't intentional. Was such a privilege to play at Twickenham.'

- Daily Mail