One Direction heartthrob Niall Horan has won his Twitter war with Welsh rugby star Mike Phillips hands down – after he was challenged to a training ground dust-up.

The Irish singer mocked the Lions scrum-half on the social network site after Ireland’s 26-3 win over Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Phillips was yellow-carded late in the game after a brawl with several Irish players following Paddy Jackson’s last minute try for the home side.

Having cheered Ireland on via Twitter, the Mullingar superstar tweeted: “Mike Phillips is like a child throwing his toys out of the pram! his attitude is terrible, looks like a right arrogant idiot.”

Phillips, 11 years older than the boyband hunk and twice his size, took exception to the remarks and tweeted: “Come down to training in the week big boy. Bring the rest of The Beatles with you.”

The Irish Sun reports that an angry army of One Direction fans attacked Phillips on Twitter after he called Horan out.

Even Ireland full-back Rob Kearney got in on the act when he tweeted: “Don’t worry @NiallOfficial — I’ve got your back!!”

Horan then compared Phillips to a Welsh TV star when he called the player: ‘awannabe Steve Jones.’
He then joked: “Cool story big fella! only go and watch good rugby teams anyway so no thanks ! #wanabeestevejones”

Phillips eventually backed down when he tweeted an old photo of himself and Rob in happier times.

The paper says a contrite Phillips told the pair: “Where did it all go wrong! Haha congrats on the win @NiallOfficial @KearneyRob.”

Kearney accepted the climbdown and said: “All a bit of Sunday fun!! Myself and Mike enjoyed a (night) out last night. Hope you boys got home safe and sound!”

Horan also enjoyed it and said: “His comebacks are very good though, natttt! He’s some man to call out a 20 year old as well! he’s cool.”