French rugby league official Benjamin Casty hospitalised after being knocked out during a match

French rugby league official Benjamin Casty was hospitalised after being knocked unconscious by a Saint-Esteve player during a French junior cup semi-final.

Footage has emerged of the sorry incident which sparked a mass brawl between both sets of players, and the game was abandoned as a result of the sickening blow suffered by the brother of former Roosters prop Remi.

Casty was officiating a match between Toulouse and Saint-Esteve last weekend and had sent one of Esteve's players from the field. His decision riled the guilty party, who responded by unleashing a ferocious right hook which floored Casty and left him lying still on the turf.

The player, who has not yet been named, turned his anger on an outraged Toulouse player and was eventually slammed to the ground himself as both teams collided.

The attack occurred 25 minutes into the first half and predictably caused the game to be abandoned. Casty was immediately taken to hospital and, while injured, did not suffer a broken jaw.

Former South African fast bowler Allan Donald shared the footage of the unfortunate episode on social media and expressed his desire to see the assailant to receive a life ban from rugby.

"The most disgraceful thing I have ever seen on a rugby field," Donald wrote on Twitter. "You won't be needing boots again for life mate. Life ban, boom!"