TWO Blackwood men were given custodial sentences after being found guilty of an "unnecessary and unprovoked" attack on two men after a rugby game.

Christopher Nash, 20, of Avonia Terrace, Fleur-de-Lys, and Gavin Griffiths, 20, of Pencoed Avenue, Cefn Forest, appeared in Cardiff Crown Court on Friday for sentencing.

Both men were found guilty of assaulting Ryan Turley causing actual bodily harm and Nash was also convicted of unlawfully wounding Terrence SMith.

During the trial the court heard Mr Smith, his wife Elaine, his step-son Mr Turley and Mr Turley's fiancee watched the Wales v England Six Nations clash at the Top Club in Blackwood on February 4 this year.

After the game, they left the pub where they encountered Nash and Griffiths who started verbally abusing Mr Turley's fiancee as she was English.

The court heard Mr Turley intervened and the two defendants stood either side of him and lifted his coat over his head before punching him to the floor and kicking and punching him while he lay in the road.

Jury members were told the two defendants ran off and Mr Smith followed and eventually caught up with them.

Griffiths then punched Mr Smith to the ground and as Mr Smith got back to his feet, Nash punched him with such force that the victim lost consciousness before he hit the ground.

Emergency services were called and Mr Smith was taken to hospital in the back of a police van. He was in hospital for two days.

Mr Smith lost one of his front teeth and another was loosened and a wound to his head required 10 stitches. The attack also led to him permanently losing 80 per cent of his hearing in his left ear.

Mr Turley suffered facial and bodily bruising.

The two defendants were arrested and both presented prepared statements saying they had nothing to do with the attack on Mr Turley and said they were acting in self defence against Mr Smith.

Judge Stephen Hopkins said: "This is another case of drink fuelled late night violence triggered by something as inconsequential as a rugby match result and a girl's nationality."

Nash was sentenced to two years detention and Griffiths nine months detention, both in a Youth Offenders Institution.