"He Hates Me with a Passion" – England Forward Reveals Ongoing Feud with Owen Farrell

Monday, 17 February 2025 at 08:18

byRugby Rucker

Owen Farrell may have stepped away from the England captaincy following his move to Racing 92, but his fiery on-field personality is still a talking point.

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

Over the years, Farrell has clashed with several players—both teammates and rivals—and one feud, in particular, stands out.

Dave Attwood: "We Don’t See Eye to Eye"

Former England lock Dave Attwood didn’t hold back when discussing his strained relationship with Farrell. According to Attwood, things turned sour after a playful dig about rugby league—Farrell’s beloved code—went too far.

"I made a joke about rugby league being a sport for the peasants," Attwood revealed. "He confronted me, and it’s safe to say he didn’t find it funny. He hates me with a passion."

The tension between the pair never fully eased, with Attwood admitting, "We don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things."

Ryan Wilson: Six Nations Tunnel Clash

Farrell’s competitive edge wasn’t limited to his own squad. During the 2018 Six Nations, he locked horns with Scotland’s Ryan Wilson in a fiery tunnel bust-up. The incident escalated so much that Wilson later faced a ban from Twickenham.

James Haskell: A Love-Hate Bromance

Meanwhile, Farrell’s dynamic with former England flanker James Haskell is best described as a love-hate relationship. The pair’s "best mates" videos during the 2016 tour of Australia became legendary, though it was clear Farrell wasn’t always enjoying Haskell’s relentless banter.

Whether it was playful teasing or genuine irritation, their back-and-forth became a fan favorite—but Farrell’s patience often seemed to wear thin.

Still Respected by Rugby’s Elite

Despite these heated rivalries, Farrell commands the respect of rugby’s biggest names. Irish legend Johnny Sexton has nothing but praise for the fly-half, calling him "one of the best teammates I've ever had" and an "amazing competitor."

"If he were Irish, he'd be considered one of our greatest ever players," Sexton added.

Love him or hate him, Farrell’s no-nonsense approach to the game leaves a lasting impression—on teammates and opponents alike.

Jonny Wilkinson didn’t hesitate when naming his toughest opponent

England legend Jonny Wilkinson went head-to-head with some of the greatest rugby players of all time, but who did he find the toughest to play against?

The 2003 World Cup hero, who earned 97 caps for England and the British & Irish Lions between 1998 and 2011, has revealed the five players he most "hated" facing during his career.

#5. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

Lomu's one of a kind and the impression he left on so many lives while playing for the All Blacks was vividly illustrated by the reaction to his death in November 2015.

WILKINSON SAID: "One of the most recognisable characters in World Rugby and a man who sparked fear in the eyes of opposition defences. The guy is quite a remarkable rugby legend and deserves to be so. No list would be complete without him.”

DID YOU KNOW? Lomu scored seven tries during the 1995 World Cup and added a further eight in 1999

#4. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

Holds the Six Nations record for most tries with 26 and was chosen Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009, leading Ireland to one Grand Slam and three Triple Crowns. Europe’s finest.

WILKINSON SAID: “The ability to change the game in a second, a heartbeat, with his movement, with his skill, his game reading but also his leadership.”

DID YOU KNOW? O’Driscoll is the all-time Irish try scorer and has led his country more times than any other player

#3. Bakkies Botha (South Africa)

WILKINSON SAID: “Someone incredibly fierce but very very down to earth” and “at times he’s exactly what a team needs,” according to Wilkinson.

DID YOU KNOW? Botha is regularly listed in 'greatest ever' sides and coach Bernard Laporte said he was the greatest player he ever coached

#2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

Lifting the 2011 World Cup in his backyard was a fitting tribute to one of the greatest ever All Blacks, but he went on to secure true legendary status as he continued for four more years, breaking record after record and uniquely hoisting the Webb Ellis trophy for a second time.

WILKINSON SAID: "“A guy that stood the test of time and has remained at the best, the highest level of the game for that time. Finishing second best was never an option."

DID YOU KNOW? McCaw led his country to World Cup glory in 2011 and 2015

#1. Christophe Dominici (France)

Dominici played 67 times for his country and won the French championship five times with Stade Français before retiring in 2008. In recent years he had worked as a pundit for French radio and TV before his death in 2020.

WILKINSON SAID: "His opportunism, his flair, his game reading, his sheer explosivity to really change a game is something that sticks in my memory.”

DID YOU KNOW? Dominci appeared in three World Cups for his country in 1999, 2003 and 2007, scoring eight tries over that time.

Can you name the entire British & Irish Lions squad from their tour of New Zealand in 2005?

The British & Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand in 2005 remains one of the most talked-about campaigns in rugby history.

Despite facing a formidable All Blacks side, the squad was packed with legendary talent representing England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

From unforgettable tries to moments of controversy, this tour had it all—and it’s time to see just how much you remember!

Can you recall every player who pulled on the famous red jersey during that iconic tour? Dive into this quiz to test your Lions knowledge and relive a piece of rugby history!