Harlequins hooker Ward stung as Saints fans jump to defence of Wood following Twitter attack

Dave Ward (centre) has felt the wrath of the Saints supporters

Dave Ward has admitted he is ‘old enough to know better’ after Saints fans hit back at the Harlequins hooker for criticising Tom Wood on Twitter.

Ward took to the social networking site on Wednesday after reading an article in the Daily Mail, headlined: “Tom Wood makes a pitch for the job as England captain if Chris Robshaw is axed in Rugby World Cup exit fall-out.”

Wood had been asked whether he would take on the England captaincy if it was offered to him and he simply replied: “We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.

“If I was asked to do it for the benefit of the team, I’d consider it very carefully and probably front up.

“I haven’t been asked and I don’t resent that. I love playing for England and take every opportunity as it comes.”

But Ward reacted with anger, feeling the need to tweet: “Reading @tomwood678 article in the Mail, with friends like that who needs enemies. How about the 47 pens you gave against Wales...”

Wood responded with: “What exactly has upset u? You seem to have acquired a stronger voice since our last chat?”

Ward said: “Voice always been strong just know when 2 use it. I can teach u sometime if u want, kicking a man when he’s down is never the 1.”

Wood tried to quell the argument, replying: “Direct message me ur number so we can have a chat.

“Who’s been kicked? What article? Ring me and stop acting tough on here.”

But Ward replied with a video of him stealing the ball from Wood in a game between Saints and Harlequins, with the words: “Lesson No1 how to turn the ball over..”

Wood concluded with: “Ok that’s enough. I’m assuming ur account has been hacked or you’ve lost a bet. #nobottle.”

And now Ward, who was released by Saints in October, 2008, appears to have seen the error of his ways, having returned to Twitter later on Wednesday.

He tweeted: “Ok so found out that strong opinions = strong reactions. Maybe not best to voice mine on this medium had some great replies though: If you were at Saints you wouldn’t make our third team. #nobottle #benchwarmer (I didnt) you W..... (simple yet effective).

“You don’t tweet for 12 days and then go big...I like that, I like that a lot! (Slow day at training).

“Old enough to know better, looking forward to the start of the Prem season. #coyq.”