Former Ireland captain delivers withering assessment of Six Nations

Former Ireland, and British and Irish Lions lock Donal Lenihan has said it is a “reflection of the Championship” if England finish this Guinness Six Nations in second place.

Steve Borthwick’s side can secure at least a second-place finish in this year’s tournament with a bonus point win in Cardiff on Saturday, before hoping Scotland can produce an unlikely win over France in Paris. Ireland, however, will have to hope for Welsh and Scottish victories, as well as their own win over Italy, if they are to win an unprecedented third title in a row.

But the former Ireland captain, speaking on RTÉ Sport this week, believes Ireland and France are “streets ahead” of the rest of the competition, despite Les Bleus’ emphatic win recently, but said bonus points have been the deciding factor.

Meanwhile, Lenihan also assessed Italy’s Championship, saying the “wheels have come off” for the Azzurri again after a promising campaign in 2024.

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“The bottom line is Borthwick in particular was under pressure to win four out of five and they’re on track to do that,” the Irishman said. “I think they’ll beat Wales even though Cardiff might have something to do with it as we saw with Ireland, the Welsh come alive there.

“But I think it’s a reflection of the Championship to some degree if that England team ends up in second place and we could end up in third having won four out of five, but the lack of a bonus point in Wales will cost us hugely in the end.

“I think France and Ireland are streets ahead of the other teams in the Championship.

“Last year Italy looked as though they were going to close the gap, they won two games, they drew with France, but the wheels seem to have come off the tracks again. Which is a bit surprising for me because Benetton and Zebre have been doing quite well in the URC. But I think it’s a setback, this Championship has been a bad one for Italy.”