England number 8 Ben Earl has voiced concerns over the format of the inaugural Nations Championship, describing the summer schedule as "brutal" and calling for changes to reduce player fatigue and extensive travel.
England's players endured a demanding summer leg, undertaking three Tests across three different continents within successive weekends, accumulating approximately 25,000 miles of travel. This rigorous schedule has reportedly led to players losing sleep and a reduction in training time, according to Earl.
"It's been brutal, there's no two ways about it," Earl stated. "We've been speaking about it – 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."
Earl acknowledged that while he is not involved in the decision-making process, the current format has presented significant challenges. The competition's demands come at the conclusion of an already long season for many players, with frequent travel back to England and then departing again for matches.
England's next fixture in the autumn leg of the Nations Championship is scheduled against Australia on November 8. The competition aims for a final on November 29, with England currently in contention for a spot in the championship match. The format includes a total of four long-haul and four short-haul flights within a four-week period, contributing to the demanding travel schedule.
Earl expressed that while the current system may be the new standard, he hopes for adjustments to improve player welfare. "It has seemed a bit weird but it's just something we're going to have to get used to because I think it's just the beginning," he added, suggesting that the competition is in its early stages and may evolve.