Peter O’Mahony names the three nastiest players he ever faced — and they all wore black
Rugby NewsWednesday, 23 April 2025 at 21:22
Peter O’Mahony has seen it all — blood, bruises, and backchat — but ahead of his 100th Ireland cap, the Munster legend opened up about the players who left the biggest dents.
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The 35-year-old back-row warrior, who bowed out of Test rugby during the 2025 Six Nations, didn’t hesitate when asked about the hardest opponents of his career. And, in true O’Mahony fashion, he didn’t sugar-coat a thing.
Spoiler alert: they’re all All Blacks. Big, bad, brutal All Blacks.
#3. Kieran Read – “The most skilful I’ve faced”
The former All Blacks captain gave O’Mahony nightmares in the breakdown and breakdowns in nightmares.
“Read was probably the most skilful I’ve come up against,” O’Mahony admitted. “Whether it was backs or forwards – he’d be well up there.”
Graceful with ball in hand, granite without it — Read was a Rolls-Royce Number 8 who could still hit like a freight train.
#2. Richie McCaw – “One of my heroes”
McCaw is the measuring stick for every openside. O’Mahony, never one to gush, didn’t hold back.
“One of my heroes,” he said. “I feel very privileged to have played against him. The All Blacks have never replaced him.”
If you survived 80 minutes with McCaw, you earned your paycheque — and probably some strapping tape too.
#1. Jerry Collins – “A vicious bas***rd… in the best way”
It was early in O’Mahony’s Munster career when he first faced Collins, and he still remembers it like a war story.
“That Ospreys team when I first started off… they had a back-row of Jerry Collins, Filo Tiatia, and Marty Holah. I was just out of my teens. It was a nasty enough back-row to be coming up against,” he recalled.
“Collins was a vicious bas***rd but a real gentleman off the pitch.”
There you have it. O’Mahony may have thrown the punches, but these three dished out the pain that stuck with him longest.
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Antoine Dupont didn’t hesitate when naming his toughest opponent so far
In a recent Q&A, Dupont shared the players he respects most, and the list includes some seriously tough competition. When asked about his toughest opponents, he didn’t miss a beat: “There are lots of great players around these days. Beauden Barrett, Faf de Klerk, Owen Farrell to name a few.”
Let’s dive into why these three legends have earned Dupont’s respect and what makes them so hard to beat.
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Beauden Barrett – The All Blacks' Game-Changer
If anyone can make even Dupont sweat, it’s Beauden Barrett. New Zealand’s speedster isn’t just lightning fast—his rugby IQ is next level. Whether he’s running the show at fly-half or sweeping in at full-back, Barrett’s ability to read the game and create opportunities is unmatched.
With over 100 international caps and two World Rugby Player of the Year awards, Barrett’s legacy is already cemented. His breakneck pace, combined with silky offloads, make him a nightmare to defend. Dupont knows better than anyone how dangerous Barrett can be.
Game-changing ability? Through the roof. Usually found ghosting past defenders before anyone knows he’s there.
Faf de Klerk – South Africa’s Defensive Dynamo
South Africa’s Faf de Klerk may stand at 5’7”, but his impact on the game is absolutely towering. The Springbok scrum-half is a constant menace in defence, relentlessly disrupting the flow of opposing playmakers. His speed, fearlessness, and pinpoint kicking make him a major threat at every turn.
Dupont has faced off against De Klerk in some of rugby’s biggest clashes and knows how effective the Springbok can be. Whether it’s through his fierce tackles or clever box kicks, De Klerk embodies the high-energy, physical style that has made South Africa a force to be reckoned with.
Rugby’s most ferocious disruptor? You bet. You’ll find him at the heart of South Africa’s World Cup triumphs.
Owen Farrell – England’s Enforcer
Owen Farrell is the kind of player who can turn a match into a war of attrition. Known for his uncompromising leadership, fierce defence, and cool-headed game management, Farrell is the ultimate no-nonsense enforcer.
His physical presence on the pitch is impossible to ignore—whether he’s crashing into tackles, controlling the game with his kicking, or barking orders at his team. Farrell thrives in pressure moments, and Dupont has had to contend with his relentless intensity more than once.
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QUIZ: Can You Name the England XV that Won the 2020 Six Nations?
England last won the Six Nations in 2020, in what was a crowning achievement during the Eddie Jones era. Coming off the back of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final heartbreak, England bounced back to win their seventh Six Nations title since the competition's Italian expansion in 2000.
England secured the trophy with a win in Rome, as they handed Italy a one-sided 34-5 bonus point defeat. We are challenging you to remember who started for England that day, as the match was played in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
You have five minutes to provide your answers, good luck!
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