Six Nations: Ferris fires the first shot at ‘bad losers’ England

The rivals collide in the climax to the championship that will probably determine who finishes runners-up behind likely winners Wales. Ireland have dominated the fixture over the past ten years, winning seven of the previous eight meetings in the Six Nations, including three of the last four at Twickenham.

Ferris insists years of hurt losing to England at under-age level ensures they remain the prized scalp, adding that they lack grace in defeat.

“If you ask any team who do they like beating and it’s always the English. Why? It’s something I can’t really put my finger on,” he said. “We took so many beatings from England at under-age level. Any time we played Under-18s, 19s or 20s we always received a thumping. I never beat them. They come with bit of a tag about being arrogant and if you asked any team they’d probably say the same thing.

“They’re a good side and are full of winners, but when they lose they don’t like it. They’re bad losers and hopefully they’ll be bad losers on Saturday.”

Ferris stresses that he is on good terms with those England players he met while on the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa and admires what they have achieved in this Six Nations.

“I went on the Lions tour and got to know a few of England’s players,” said Ferris, who missed training yesterday due to an ankle problem. “I got on so well with them and had an awful lot of respect for them. I became good friends with some of them. England are a good side at the moment and are very hard to break down. Saturday will be two good teams going against each other, but we’re also looking forward to getting that result.”

In the England camp, Tom Croft revealed how a radical shift in the attitude of the squad since the World Cup debacle has helped take his game to new heights.

The Leicester flanker rekindled memories of his starring role on the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour with a commanding all-round performance in England’s 24-22 victory over France on Sunday. He has never stopped looking to build on that Lions experience, but it is only since Stuart Lancaster took charge that he feels he has really made a breakthrough.

The environment Lancaster has created is in complete contrast to that in England’s World Cup squad where, according to testimony in the leaked tournament reviews, players were “mocked” by team-mates if they tried too hard in training. Croft said: “You work a little bit harder now because you are surrounded by guys who are doing the exact same thing. You don’t want to be the guy not doing it and letting the side down.”

Lancaster will name his side to face Ireland today and is expected to make only one change to the starting line-up, with David Strettle regaining his place on the wing from Charlie Sharples after overcoming a chest injury.