Ben Earl has expressed his concerns over the Nations Championship format, citing England's grueling itinerary as a major issue. The team played three Tests in three continents on consecutive weekends, covering over 25,000 miles in July.
Despite ending their tour with a win over Argentina, the players were severely sleep-deprived and had limited training due to travel and time differences. The squad, particularly the British and Irish Lions stars, faced significant challenges due to the extensive travel, with four long-haul and four short-haul flights in under four weeks.
Earl emphasized the need for a reevaluation of the format, suggesting that hosting the tournament in one country could alleviate the travel burden and create a more festive atmosphere. He stated, "It's been brutal... why would we not all be playing in one country?" Earl acknowledged that the schedule has been particularly tough, especially after a long season, and noted that the team will have to adapt to this new reality.