Ireland fans love when it when it's time to play England. With their white jerseys and their stiff upper lip, they make themselves to so easy to hate. The world has moved on, but of all the Six Nations fixtures, nothing is quite as satisfying as beating what Gerry Thornley loves to call the 'the old enemy' (equally, no loss stings more than one to England). Ahead of the possible Championship decider on Sunday, we thought we should provide Irish fans a reference tool for channelling that disgust by compiling an Ireland fans' Most Hated England XV of the professional era.
We'll give a peek behind the curtain and show you how the selection committee made their decisions.
15- Delon Armitage
A borderline pick by the selection committee. He's broadly disliked by rugby fans, though Irish fans bear him no particular grudge. Yet multiple dirty tackles and berating a drug tester for suggesting that he piss in a cup ensured he made the list. If he was a movie villain he would be the delinquent student that makes the teacher’s life hell.
14-Chris Ashton
His arrogance is what infuriates Irish rugby fans, his swan dive alienates the purists and he loses points for having a League background. If he was a movie villain he would be the cocky guy on a high school wrestling team.
13- Andy Farrell
Was Andy Farrell hated? Maybe not. Was he liked? Definitely not. He came to Union with a lot of hype and was so awful that Irish fans turned against him on principle. It is ironic (and borderline insulting - Ed.) that a centre who lacked the slightest amount of creativity is meant to mentor Brian O’Driscoll on attack on this summer's Lions tour. If he was a movie villain he would be a dirty cop from the 1980s TV drama. His stubble lends itself to an open-shirt-and-shades look ideal for an antagonist in Miami Vice.
12- Mike Tindall
He is a royal, which will naturally arouse suspicions. As well, Ireland is a nation of relatively short people so Midgetgate wasn’t received particularly well-received over here. If he was a movie villain he would Colin Firth’s snotty brother - the guy who dies - in “The Kings Speech”.
11- Austin Healy
He always mouthed off and was annoyingly good against Irish teams. He has even found a second wind of insufferableness on ESPN. If he was a movie villain he would be the annoying coach with Napoleon syndrome.
10-Danny Cipriani
He had one good game against Ireland at Twickenham and the English media had a Code Red alert. BBC must have showed the clip of him shouting at his team one million times since. Thankfully now he earns his living as a speed bump somewhere near Sale. If he was a movie villain he would be an evil model in Zoolander.
9- Ben Youngs
Youngs’ petulant kick into the stands two years ago made Irish fans irate. Youngs over Danny Care was the closest call the selection committee made. Youngs is supremely arrogant although he unfortunately backs it up more often than not. If he was a movie villain he would be a high school bully that loves to stuff nerds in lockers.
1-Graeme Rowntree
This is the face of Irish fan hatred. If he was a movie villain he would be an orc/gargoyle/troll/etc.
2- Dylan Hartley
Has a history of dirty play and generally carries himself with an arrogance that he rarely backs up. If he was a movie villain he would be a pompous prefect at some boys’ academy who thinks he owns the place.
3-Phil Vickery
Was on the receiving end of two humiliating losses at Thomond Park and also cost the Lions the 2009 tour. Loses a lot of points for shouting “Beast” after coming off after the third test win given that the Beast probably hadn’t slept since the previous week. If he was a movie villain he would be (insert Graham Rowntree’s description here).
4- Martin Johnson
The eyebrows. The furrowed brow. Mary McAleese. The 2003 Grand Slam. The World Cup. If Rowntree is the face of Irish hatred, Johnson is the physical embodiment. If he was a movie villain he would be the bouncer who would never let you into the nightclub. Then when he retires you can go in all the time.
5- Courtney Lawes
Lawes is a good player but Sky Sports wants you to think OMYGODCOURTNEYLAWESISSUCHAPHYSICSLSPECIMEN. This hyperbole has never translated into the international stage and Irish fans don’t like all the attention this guy gets. If he was a movie villain he would be the popular person that the main character can never understand why people like.
6- Lewis Moody
It is his preppy look that earns his place here. He would no doubt be third member of a gang of high school jock (with Youngs and Ashton) who'd be always starting food fights and dunking dweebs headfirst into the toilet.
7- Neil Back
The Hand of Back. That is all. If he was a movie villain he would be an orc, but one of the strong, muscley orcs that kills Sean Bean.
8- Lawrence Dallaglio
There is not really one specific thing that annoys Irish fans but more of a body of work. His longevity meant he was in Ireland fans' faces for a long time and he just radiates the superiority complex that Irish fans hate. If he was a movie villain he would be the arrogant and condescending person that starts going out with your mom after the divorce comes through.
