Ben Earl calls for Nations Championship format rethink after gruelling tour

England flanker Ben Earl has called for the Nations Championship format to be reconsidered after his side endured a 'brutal' tour itinerary that included three Test matches on three different continents in successive weekends.

Steve Borthwick's squad covered approximately 25,000 miles during their July tour, which culminated in a victory over Argentina in Santiago del Estero. The demanding travel schedule required players to manage significant time zone changes and reduced training loads to prioritise recovery.

Travel toll on players

• Three Test matches played in three different continents on consecutive weekends.
• Approximately 25,000 miles of travel in July alone.
• Reduced training schedule due to sleep deprivation from long-haul flights.
• Players also faced four long-haul and four short-haul flights in under four weeks.
• British and Irish Lions players like Earl, Ellis Genge, and Ollie Chessum had additional fatigue from last summer's tour.

Earl questioned why all matches could not be hosted in a single country to create a festival atmosphere and minimise travel. 'Why would we not all be playing in one country? So you just don't travel, you go to one nation and have that festival feel,' he said, acknowledging the difficulty of balancing family time and recovery.

England's two wins in the tournament have secured their place in the Nations Championship final at Allianz Stadium on November 29. However, the physical and mental strain of the current scheduling has raised concerns about player welfare.

As the Nations Championship evolves, discussions between unions, organisers, and player representatives are expected to intensify to find a more sustainable balance between competition ambition and athlete health.