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Former Ireland captain delivers withering assessment of Six Nations
By Josh Raisey
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.
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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.
“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.”
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The table doesn't lie it’s results that count, we manage some how to beat france and scotland. Ireland caved in to france losing discipline and rightly got beaten. Better luck next time.
I think winning somewhat masks England’s performances, but winning is key. Some argue France played poorly against them, while the argument could be made England made them play poorly.
Regardless, there are 3 teams going into this weekend with a chance of winning. The bonus point system works and keeps it exciting. England know, if they have any chance of winning, they have to play attacking rugby and go for it to build the score. Same for Scotland and Ireland, they have to both throw caution to the wind and play. Increases the hype and excitement for sure and, hopefully, the quality in the matches too.
Take the bonus points away and what do you have? England, France and Ireland all on 3 wins going into the last match, potentially all on 4 wins at the end. Are Ireland and France streets ahead? Recent matches equal one win one loss each so how are two teams streets ahead?
What an odd thing to complain about. Obviously Ireland are better than England but the competition is the competition, Ireland have only themselves to blame if they finish 3rd. They had the same opportunities to score bonus points as England.
Ireland coughed up a bonus point against England and that could be the difference. Points can be accumulated by wins or BPs. Thats the champs.
Lenihan is at this too long, he was a player in the 80s. A very different era. He seems to miss an awaful lot as co-commentator. Confusing Van der Flier with Bially Biarray (red head piece) for the latters second try and declaring that Ireland had ‘unbelievably stolen it!!!’ a funny case in point.
He’s been like this as long as I can remember he barely has a clue whats going on most games
Yeah, I’d be amazed if he isn’t part of the group claim against world rugby for brain damage.
A solid big unit in his day but he often seems to be commentating on a different sport.