"Pantomime villains" - Fans rank the five most hated rugby union players around today

While it is undeniably enjoyable to witness the triumphs of rugby's cherished icons, there is an equally captivating aspect in observing a star's downfall from grace, both on and off the pitch.

In a recent poll, we sought to identify the top five individuals who, through their actions on or off the field, have acquired an undesirable reputation within the game. Discover the results below.

Believe me, I’m as shocked as you are that Lavinini managed to find his way into this list considering the stand-up player that he is (sarcastic).

Being serious, he is one of the most entertaining rugby players to watch because of his reckless and aggressive behaviour

White has become arguably the most unpopular player in world rugby over the past 12 months..

Last year, White fell about like a lion had attempted to rip off his face after Faf de Klerk accidentally made contact with it while attempting to dislodge the ball out of his hands as he attempted a pass.

After consulting with the television match official, referee Paul Williams adjudicated that this warranted a yellow card for de Klerk.

This decision sent the world of rugby into meltdown, with criticism coming from all quarters aimed at White for bringing the game into disrepute.

Biggar is the epitome of players you hate until they are on your team.

The way the fly-half continues to moan to referees vociferously has seemingly only got worse throughout his career.

It got so bad that popular online personality and diehard Scotland fan Glove39 made a video called ‘birdman’ mocking the way in which he always raises his arms in frustration to officials.

Biggar has twice been selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions (2017 & 2021)

On 7 December 2015, Biggar won the BBC Cymru Sports Personality of the Year Award

Biggar came through the Ospreys development pathway, having attended Gowerton Comprehensive School in Swansea

The fly-half has his own routine before kicking goals, which fans now call “The Biggarena” after Los Del Rio’s 1995 hit, Macarena

The expert in unsportsmanlike behavior. Sexton is skilled in exaggerating contact or distracting officials, knowing precisely when to employ his repertoire of underhanded tactics.

His most recent example of on-field nouse came against Wales just last weekend. The yellow card handed to Liam Williams in the 65th minute for a high hit on Sexton took a while to come as it was reviewed from multiple angles by the officials.

Wales fans piled in on Sexton after the Williams sin-binning, with one writing: 'Sexton play acted a head injury. Blatant cheating.'

Another Wales fan vented: 'That Liam Williams yellow card shows why rugby will be dead in a few years – nothing wrong with Liams body shape and Sexton play acting sums up how rugby has drastically changed for the worse. It’s a mockery to the real injuries.'

Another commented on Sexton being seen winking after the card, and said that his behaviour would "destroy the spectacle that is International rugby"

Could it be anybody else? Farrell fits the label “our guy” better than most, meaning you love to hate him unless he’s in your squad.

Then you’d go to the end’s of the earth to defend him. The England captain, also known as 'Shoulder boy' for his high tackling, does himself no favours with his poor tackling technique.

The Saracens star went to school with England teammate George Ford

His education began in rugby league – he joined Wigan St Patricks at the age of eight

He became the youngest ever player to appear in English professional rugby, making his debut aged 17 and 11 days. This record was later beaten by schoolmate Ford

It’s well known that Owen is the son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. However, it’s less commonly know that his uncle Sean O’Loughlin is also a rugby league legend, winning 34 caps for Great Britain between 1993 and 2009

He was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took mum Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin. The couple married in 1995, changing Owen’s surname to Farrell the following year.