Leinster simply the best, says Sky pundit Barnes

THERE probably isn’t enough ink to do justice to an afternoon with Stuart Barnes. The former England international and Lion rolls out the stories and anecdotes — the late Keith Floyd figures in a few — in a steady stream.

However, Barnes is also a respected pundit on television and in print. He doesn’t shy away from frank answers, such as his evaluation of the various leagues in rugby — the Magners League, the English Premiership and the French Top 14.

“It’s slightly different in France, where the culture of the Top 14 is such that coaches feel they need to come to grips with being national champions first. In a way, in England it’s a little like the Premiership in football — you want to be national champions first, then Europe. Toulouse would be the exception for me.