One Direction star Niall Horan has made a new ally in the shape of Irish rugby player Rob Kearney after falling out with a Welsh scrum-half on Twitter.

The singer made a comment about Wales' Mike Phillips after he was involved in a scuffle with Irish players at the weekend, saying:

"Mike Philips is like a child throwing his toys out of the pram! his attitude is terrible, looks like a right arrogant idiot."

Phillips then later replied on Twitter directly to Horan, saying: "Come down to training in the week big boy. Bring the rest of The Beatles with you."

Horan then called the Welshman a "wannabe Steve Jones" before the rugby player uploaded a photo of himself and added that Horan would be bigger if he looked like him.

Ireland rugby player Rob Kearney then stepped in to say: "Don't worry @NiallOfficial - I've got your back!!"

Ireland ultimately won the Six Nations match with a resounding 26-3 victory over Wales.