In rugby union, for every force of good, there is an equal power of evil to give balance. They need a yin to balance out their yang. There is a villain for every hero.
As much fun as it is to watch one of the sport’s most cherished legends succeed, spectators can also enjoy watching a star plummet from the heavens and sink to the depths below.
Here is a list of players who have earned an awful reputation in the game, whether for their on-field or off-field antics, not only among certain groups of fans or teams but among the entire football population.
Dan Biggar (Wales)
Biggar embodies the type of player you despise until they join your side. The way the fly-half continues to scream at officials has gotten worse over the course of his career. It got so bad that Glove39, a renowned internet personality and ardent Scotland supporter, developed a video called ‘birdman,’ mocking his habit of raising his arms in exasperation to officials.
Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
A flanker who thrives on the edge of the field and never fails to irritate opposing fans. During the 2019 Six Nations, his late hit on Stuart Hogg and foul-mouthed spat with Kyle Sinckler did him no favours. You want to have him, but you also want to loathe him.
Mike Brown (England)
The fullback, in his own words, is a “marmite” player,’ with fans either liking or hating him. The classic mould for an England No15 is a skinhead who relishes confrontation.
Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
The World Cup-winning lock is unquestionably talented, but he is also one of the sport’s dirtiest players. You will not be a fan if your team has played against him. Huge biceps, but a proper sh**house.
Owen Farrell (England)
Is it possible that it’s someone else? Farrell is a better fit for the title “our guy” than others, which means you despise him unless he’s in your squad. Then you’d protect him to the end of the earth. The England captain, dubbed “Shoulder Boy” for his high tackling, isn’t doing himself any favours with his shoddy tackling technique.
