Henry Pollock has rapidly become one of the most polarising players in world rugby.
The 21-year-old England back-row has been branded “public enemy number one” in South Africa ahead of this weekend’s Nations Championship clash with the Springboks at Ellis Park.
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Pollock was even approached by a stranger at England’s team hotel in Johannesburg and warned that South Africans were “coming for him”.
Northampton captain George Furbank revealed: “We had one person come up to him in the hotel and say ‘South Africans are coming for you’.
“It was actually a Congolese guy who had just finished watching the football and he came up to him and said ‘you’re public enemy number one!’.”
Pollock has also found himself targeted by Springbok supporters online, with his celebrations, confidence and outspoken personality already making him one of the biggest villains in the game.
However, at just 21 and still in the early stages of his Test career, Pollock has some way to go before earning a place alongside rugby’s all-time great pantomime villains.
Before we go any further, an important disclaimer: nobody at RUCK personally hates any of the players on this list.
The headline is deliberately provocative, but this is really a countdown of players who divided opinion, wound up opposition supporters or became major pantomime villains during and after their careers.
Some were hated because they were brilliant. Others because of their behaviour on the pitch. A few saw public perceptions change dramatically because of controversies away from rugby.
With that cleared up, here are 10 of the most divisive rugby players of all-time.
10. Austin Healey
Few players enjoyed winding up opponents quite like Austin Healey.
Nicknamed “The Leicester Lip”, the former England and British & Irish Lions back rarely missed an opportunity to get under the skin of an opponent.
His confidence often crossed into arrogance in the eyes of rival supporters, while his willingness to speak his mind made him one of the most divisive characters of his generation.
Healey was the classic player supporters loved when he was wearing their shirt and absolutely despised when he was playing against them.
9. Yoann Huget
Yoann Huget was a hugely talented winger, but his reputation for theatrics made him deeply unpopular with opposition supporters.
The former France international was regularly accused by fans of exaggerating contact and going to ground far too easily.
In a sport that prides itself on toughness, Huget’s perceived willingness to make the most of challenges made him an easy target.
French supporters celebrated his tries. Opposition fans often found themselves furious with everything else.
8. Quade Cooper
At the peak of his rivalry with New Zealand, Quade Cooper was arguably the most hated man in All Blacks rugby.
The Australia playmaker became public enemy number one in New Zealand following a series of confrontations with Richie McCaw.
Every touch was booed. Every mistake was celebrated. Every meeting with the All Blacks felt personal.
Cooper was brilliant, unpredictable and never afraid of the spotlight, making him the perfect villain.
7. Stuart Hogg
Stuart Hogg was once one of the most popular and recognisable players in British rugby.
The former Scotland captain enjoyed a glittering international career, winning 100 caps for his country and touring three times with the British & Irish Lions.
However, personal issues away from the pitch dramatically changed public perceptions of the former full-back following his initial retirement in 2023.
Hogg has since returned to rugby with Montpellier in France, where he has continued his playing career largely away from the British media spotlight.
Once one of the biggest faces in British rugby, Hogg now finds himself far less visible to supporters back home following a dramatic few years on and off the pitch.
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