Irish rugby star Stephen Ferris has launched a war of words with England ahead of Saturday’s big Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

The Ulster flanker has branded England ‘bad losers’ ahead of the eagerly awaited clash in London.

Ireland can finish second in the Six Nations championship with victory against the English side that beat France in Paris last Sunday.

With seven Irish wins from their last eight meetings, confidence is high as the team prepare to fly to London on Thursday.

Ferris has now added fuel to the fire with his remarks.

“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 also claimed that he is good friends with many of the England players he played alongside on the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa.

“I went on the Lions tour and got to know a few of England’s players,” added Ferris, fit to start on Saturday despite 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.”