IRELAND BACK ROW, Stephen Ferris, has commenced the war of words ahead of Ireland’s final game of this year’s Six Nations.

Ferris and Co. travel to Twickenham to face a rejuvenated England side knowing a win could seal a second place finish.

That outcome would add a positive spin to a tournament full of adversity.

After Ireland named their starting line-up yesterday the Ulster blind-side spoke to the BBC and began stoking the flames of this old rivalry, citing his unsuccessful memories from age-grade rugby as reason to continue putting the record straight.

“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,” “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.”

With such a large playing pool, England are always a formidable physical opposition in under-age international competition. However, in recent years they have not managed to translate that into coherent success at senior level.

That said, they go into the final weekend of this tournament bidding to defend their Six Nations crown. Last year, they entered the final day looking to complete a Grand Slam only to be shocked 24-8 by an Irish side which was without Ferris.

The arrogance shown that day, may not have been totally washed clean despite the raft of changes to the squad made by Stuart Lancaster. Ferris, 26, believes that could be their downfall.

“They come with bit of a tag about being arrogant and if you asked any team they’d probably say the same thing.” He said.