Stuart Barnes branded 'bitter' and a 'muppet' after blasting Alun Wyn Jones

"Rugby historians may look back to November 28, 2020, this most hollow of sporting years, and say: “Yes, that was the day.” The day that Warren Gatland — watching his old team from a distance — inked in the name Maro Itoje as his British & Irish Lions captain for the (fingers crossed) 2021 tour to South Africa," wrote Barnes in his Times column.

"Tomorrow Itoje, 26, takes on the illustrious Alun Wyn Jones, 35, the captain of Wales, seemingly a setting sun.

"I cannot remember so few mentions of Jones in commentary when watching Wales; I cannot remember seeing those grand slam-winning choke tackles in tandem with Justin Tipuric, one after the other.

"His carrying game is next to non-existent and the Welsh lineout has been a fundamental weakness of their side.

"Jones’s great days are diminishing. He is mortal, after all."

It's not the first time Barnes has questioned Jones, but this time his words really did get under the skin of some supporters.

One fan wrote: 'Barnes has nothing useful to say so he throws out a controversial piece just to warrant his salary from the Times.'

Another added: 'You poor man. It must be dreadful to be so bitter!'

Although born in Essex, he was to captain Wales Schools. However, Barnes made his England debut against Australia in November 1984. He gained ten caps for England and played his last international match in 1993 against Ireland.

Now an exciting centre, his rugby career began in the forwards as a flanker before he moved into the midfield in his mid-teens, representing Kent at county level and London & South East Under-16s.

Tompkins’ dynamic skillset and enthusiastic nature saw him excel for the Men in Black in 2018/19, featuring heavily in the club’s run to their third European success and fifth Premiership title.

The former England Under-20 international, who won the 2014 Junior World Championship, made his Wales debut during the 2020 Six Nations

Mako Vunipola, far-right in the back row, and Billy, fourth right, played for East Wales schools alongside Wales’s Taulupe Faletau. However, after attending English schools they made the switch to represent England. Billy even once admitted he wanted Australia to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The hulking back-rower,  whose father is former Wales international Paul Moriarty, initially played for England at both U18 and U20 level, winning the IRB Junior World Championship in 2014. However, he has since made his full international debut for Wales and has since won 44 caps while also representing the British & Irish Lions during their tour of New Zealand in 2017.

Grew up in the Amman Valley and captained Wales U16s.  But was born in Slough and switched allegiance to the land of his birth, playing for England U20s. The 22-year-old scrum-half made 17 Premiership appearances last season, having joined from Gloucester.