Two US rugby players playing in the World Rugby Classic were pounced on in a "sickening attack'' by a group of men at the Ice Queen food bar on Friday night.

An eyewitness said he watched as six men who said they had just won the Martonmere Cup held the two rugby players down and kicked them in the head and with helmets.

Police are investigaing the attack which left both Americans with head injuries. One of the Americans, Mr. Mike Halliday, has returned home. Both were here to take part in the Classic, a tournament involving retired rugby internationals.

The fight appeared to start shortly after midnight after Mr. Jake Burkhardt and Mr. Halliday reportedly got into an argument with the men -- who claimed to have taken part in Vasco da Gama's Martonmere Cup victory on Friday.

Mr. Burkhardt told The Royal Gazette he went to the Ice Queen just before midnight on Friday and noticed a crowd.

"There was a lot of shouting and a lot of altercation and people were running around,'' Mr. Burkhardt said. "I saw one of my team players, Mike Halliday, by the counter of Ice Queen and I decided that I should stand next to him for support. He was already involved in a conversation between a person whom I thought was the snack bar manager and a youth who was very agitated.

"I'm not quite sure how the fight began but I got kicked at one point from behind on my back. There was some pushing and shoving and it just snowballed and escalated.

"The next thing I knew I was down on the ground. After that I basically just remember trying to get on my hands and knees and I never did. I don't remember anyone fighting me on the ground.'' He also said that the Police arrived and tried to bring him around. "I was on my feet and cleaned up a little bit and then the Police put me in the Police car and took me to hospital.'' Mr. Burkhardt added that he received a bruised right eye and his team-mate sustained a "fairly severe black eye which was one of the reasons he left the Island so he could get it checked out by his own physician. He's just being cautious.'' He also said that he had no ill feelings towards Bermuda.

"I feel no animosity about the Bermudian people or the community. In my opinion it's over and I know Bermuda is more concerned about this because they have to live here. I'd like to put it behind me,'' Mr. Burkhardt said.

An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said the fighting was "one of the most sickening things I have ever seen''.

He added: "I saw six soccer players kicking rugby players in the head. They were quite loud and they were saying they had just won the Martonmere Cup.

"Other people at the Ice Queen had asked them to quiet down. The fight started when the US rugby players asked them to quiet down.'' The witness added one rugby player was hit in the head with a helmet and two football players were holding each of the rugby players.

World Rugby Classic president Mr. John Kane said: "I think what has happened this week, which includes two hotel break-ins to rugby players' rooms and stolen rental bikes, is a sign Bermuda's crime problem is getting out of control.

"The same day the two rugby players were assaulted at the Ice Queen a number of bikes were stolen outside of the National Sports Club where the World Rugby Classic is being held.'' Mr. Kane added that it was now time "for us to stop pussy-footing around. The crime situation in Bermuda is the death knell of tourism. We've got to hit this problem now before it becomes a major problem.'' He also said there were six rugby teams on the Island with about 150 people here either to play or watch the tournament.

"Five percent have been affected by this. That is a high average. We don't want teams leaving Bermuda with a bad feeling,'' Mr. Kane said.

But he added: "None of this has taken away from the good side, which is what Bermuda is capable of as far as putting on sporting events.''