Quality rugby in the six nations - not really.

Is it just me, or is the standard of rugby in the six nations not that good?

It has been intense certainly, with several absorbing matches the France games against Ireland and England.

However, from a quality point of view there has not been anything that will have New Zealand, Australia or South Africa quaking ahead of the world cup this autumn.

Games have been scrappy for the most part, still devilled by inconsistent refereeing, especially at the scrum.

England look certain to win the championship though a trip to Dublin on the final weekend could derail their hopes of a Grand Slam. Of all the teams they have shown the most attacking intent with Toby Flood the only playmaker in the tournament that looks happy playing on the gain line and indeed breaking it.

Although Chris Ashton has taken the plaudits for his finishing, it has been Flood that has put in for his tries.

Ben Youngs has also been hugely impressive and his attacking threat round the fringes has made the space further out for Flood.

Considering how Scotland have defended round the side of rucks, I would be surprised if we do not see Youngs make a few breaks during the Calcutta Cup match this Sunday.

Their pack have been impressive too despite missing Tom Croft, Courtney Lawes and Lewis Moody.

Tom Wood has taken to international rugby as if he was born to play it and James Haskell is finally delivering on his potential.

However, they still have a few huge flaws, Hape at twelve is certainly huge but he is a deeply flawed player. He offers very little in attack for a start. We keep hearing about his offloading game but there has been little evidence of this. His defence is also poor and he has been caught out of position several times in the tournament. Mike Tindall outside him has been little better with some horrible mistakes that a player with his experience simply shouldn’t be making. He genuinely seems incapable of passing the ball and he offers just as much with the ball in hand as Hape, not a lot. He is at least solid in defence but his lack of pace is there to be exploited.

Until England can find some international standard centres they are going to be limited in what they can achieve. They will be boosted up front by a return for the above mentioned trio, especially Croft who is their one genuinely world class forward. However, I would still expect them to lose against the southern giants more often than they would beat them.

France have been very disappointing.

When you consider the players available to them they should be much more impressive than they are.

They should have lost to Ireland and would have done if it wasn’t for Ireland constantly giving away penalties in dangerous positions. They beat Scotland thanks to some inspired counter attacks, proof that they are still capable of turning on the magic. However, for the most part they have been stodgy with an aging set of forwards who relish the fight up front but aren’t too keen on flowing running rugby. This policy of big is best is prevalent in the backs too with the continuing selection of the aging Yannick Jauzion and Damien Traille, formally brilliant, now past it.

Australia tore them to shreds in the autumn and would do it again now, it’s just none of the other six nations teams are capable of exploiting weaknesses in the way the southern hemisphere giants do.

Ireland have some things to be pleased with. Another aging team , they are starting to show signs of finding the talent to replace the fading stars post world cup. Mike Ross and Cian Healy seem to finally be the answer to the front row problems that have dogged them and a back row of Stephen Ferris, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip will be the best in the northern hemisphere.

Luke Fitzgerald continues to develop nicely at full back and could well be, long term, the man who fills Brian O’Driscoll’s thirteen jersey.

However, in the short term, they are still reliant on Ronan O’Gara’s boot to win them games and their discipline is suspect. Paul O’Connell is another who is beginning to show his age.

They simply aren’t good enough to compete with the best in the world, a fact that is true of all the six nations teams. England are the best equipped to compete but the only team I would be willing to put money on for the world cup would be New Zealand. If they don’t win it, Australia will.

Meanwhile, let’s sit back and enjoy some clunky but competitive fare from the six nations.