It’s the quality that is the worry though from an English point of view. Players who produce excellent stuff at club level don’t seem to be able to reproduce it at international level. That is a worry. I’ll always prefer international rugby but I would back one or two of the Premiership teams to beat England at the moment. And were I a neutral, I’ve a fair idea of which one I’d rather watch.

I am Welsh, so of the views you feel will be the only ones singing the praises of international rugby but this year featuring Wales the games vs England, France, and Ireland were all exciting stuff in the 6Nations, the 2nd test in the summer vs SA and the games vs SA and OZ this AI’s were exciting games.

Outside of that… despite some rediculous ELV’s I enjoyed much of the 3 nations. The pre tour game between Oz and NZ was thrilling. The Scotland vs South Africa game was also edge of the seat stuff.

The Irish tour of NZ and OZ produced two very good games as well.

Yes there have been some rubbish games played, but there have been some great ones as well. Much like any other rugby. The heineken cup is a great competition, but it can produce some shockers. Domestic leagues even more so. Magners has its fair share of flat matches (pretty much anytime the ospreys play – and i’m an ospreys fan!), and the GP is far from innocent, despite some rediculous hype and hyperbole by Sky.

I like both types, club and country. But for top level skill, passion and pace it is still international rugby for me.