Sharks' duo king hit in bar after defending Shaun Kenny-Dowall

Valentine Holmes. Photo / Getty

The NRL is set to investigate an incident in which Cronulla players Valentine Holmes and Jack Bird were king hit in a Sydney bar on Sunday night.

The Nine Network reported that the pair became involved in a heated argument with patrons at the Coogee Pavilion when they stepped in to defend Sydney Roosters winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Both Sharks players were punched and knocked to the ground from behind after attempting to leave the premises.

Holmes was reportedly briefly knocked unconscious after being struck and had to be helped off the floor by fellow patrons.

It's believed Kenny-Dowall, who was last week acquitted of domestic violence charges, was involved in a dispute with a punter and the Cronulla players stepped in to aid him.

There was no suggestion of wrong-doing by the Sharks pair and the argument allegedly only became violent after they began to walk away.

Holmes was last month suspended from representing Queensland during this year's State of Origin series after breaking curfew during an emerging Maroons camp.

The Sharks winger was one of eight players blacklisted by Maroons management after he was issued with an infringement notice when he became involved in an argument with a cab driver in a taxi queue in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley.

- AAP