A burly semi-professional rugby player bit a chunk of flesh from a man's face during a nightclub brawl.

Austin Watts, who had been drinking heavily, sank his teeth into his 23-year-old victim's chin, leaving muscle tissue exposed.

The 6ft 5in forward for Leicester Lions RFC, who told police he could not recall the incident, had pleaded guilty to wounding with intent in the assault on June 1 last year.

Yesterday Watts, of Maple Avenue, Countesthorpe, was jailed for two years and nine months.

Passing sentence at Leicester Crown Court, Judge Ian Collis described the victim's injuries as "appalling".

"This sort of offence is one down from murder, that's how serious it is," he said.

"You bit down on his chin 'like biting an apple', and I can see from the photos exactly what was meant by that. It was a vicious attack. Biting is always a serious matter and the consequences are appalling."

Leicester Crown Court heard the attack took place at Life, in Humberstone Gate, Leicester. The victim, from the Melton area, needed surgery after having a two-inch square piece of flesh torn from his face.

He has been left with a three-inch scar.

Watts (25) had exchanged words with the man before they ended up trading punches.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said Watts grabbed hold of the man and bit into the right side of his chin.

"It was described as biting down and pulling away, through the chin – like biting through an apple," he said.

The victim managed to prise his chin from the Watts' jaw by using his thumbs.

Mr Murphy said: "The bite was through the full thickness of skin and fat, exposing underlying muscle."

Watts, who had been drinking all day and throughout the night, was still aggressive after being ejected from the club.

Mr Murphy said: "He tried to start a fight with the manager of security, saying 'Come on big man, I'll take you round the corner and smash your face'."

Police used incapacity spray to restrain him.

The next day Watts, who had no previous convictions, apologised but said he had no recollection of the violence, nor even visiting the nightclub.

He had drank four cans of cider and four cans of lager before 7pm, then had brandy and lager at a friend's house, and more brandy in the city centre.

The court heard that the victim, also a rugby player, has stopped playing because of his injury and has also suffered a loss of confidence since the attack, fearing that people looked on him as "a thug" because of his scar.

Gary Short, defending, said Watts had acted out of character and references showed he was a devoted son and a "decent" young man.

He added: "He's full of remorse and told the police afterwards 'I shouldn't have done it. I'm guilty. I'm sorry.'

"He's since dramatically reduced his alcohol consumption, and wants me to express in his genuine apology."