Competition is intense but quality lacking

WITH just two rounds remaining, this years Six Nations championship has been chronically short on quality but infinitely more competitive than anything in recent years.

Incredibly, only Italy remain out of the championship race with points difference separating the top four sides.

The gulf between the teams has narrowed significantly. Unfortunately it would appear that both France and England have taken one step backwards rather than a seismic improvement from the other nations. If a Lions squad were being selected at the end of this campaign, with the exception of the obvious handful of standout performers, it would be short on real quality.