The phrase "a vicious tackle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of sports, particularly in reference to a rough or aggressive play, often in football or rugby.
Example: "The referee issued a yellow card for the player's vicious tackle that left his opponent injured."
Alternatives: "a brutal tackle" or "a savage tackle".
Croyle separated his shoulder on a vicious tackle and was lost for the rest of the season.
Idiotically, Thierry Henry was sent off early on against Uruguay for a vicious tackle, and France were lucky to survive with a goalless draw.
Hazard's reward was to be clattered from behind by Gary Caldwell, a vicious tackle that earned the Wigan captain a yellow card.
In the game, he was notable for being the recipient of a vicious tackle by Matthew Thomas, who was the number 1 ranked outside linebacker in the class of 2013 according to ESPN.
The Ghana player complains but it is a truly vicious tackle.
In the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Uruguay tied Scotland, 0-0, in a match marred by Jos?atista's vicious tackle on Gordon Strachan in the very first minute of the game.
Two minutes after scoring expertly with a true striker's spin and finish to double the Galaxy's lead on the night (and ease nagging fears of a breakaway Herediano away goal), Villareal found himself on the receiving end of a vicious scissor tackle from a frustrated Pablo Salazar that should have been a straight red.
Slowly I am getting my self-confidence back and no longer define myself as a "failing scientist", but as someone who does science as well as a myriad of other things--including a vicious rugby tackle!
He had to wear an oversized boot on his left foot to allow for the inflammation of the ankle, shattered by Andoni Goikoetxea's vicious tackle in 1983, that was held together by a pin.
With the ball nearly nestled in Stack's fingers, Jones sprung, sending the 253-pound Stack splattering to the ground in what was the most vicious tackle of training camp.
