Six Nations/all considered

With staggered kick-offs three countries led the table but most wiseacres thought France would win it – as indeed they did, beating a spirited Scotland.

I did not watch Italy v Ireland but, though the latter did not live up to their “favourites” billing, they will supply the bulk of the Lions.

Keenan, Bierne, Henshaw, the superb hooker Dan Sheerhan Gibson -Park, Bundaiki and Andrew Porter look certainties, but no longer Sam Prendergast as the two Finns – Russell and Smith – might edge him out at fly half.

England produced their best performance under Steve Borthwick to thrash a poor Wales 68-14.

20 year old Northampton Saints flanker Henry Pollock was outstanding with two tries but there is intense competition in the back row with the Curry twins, Ben Earl and Tom Willis.

England will be touring Argentina, so those who miss out on Lions selection will still enjoy and benefit from competitive rugby.

France could introduce enough forward power to bulldoze Scotland in the second half, though Marouaka was lucky just to get a yellow card after a reckless head-butt of Ben White, who should make the Lions tour to Australia as back up to Gibson Park.

Although I prefer Mark Pougatch as anchor presenter to Gabba Logan, the BBC panel were slightly more incisive. The Welsh analysts were intensely patriotic as was Benjamin Kayser for France.

More objective critique is required on both channels.