England’s players have raised concerns over the Nations Championship format, citing the demanding travel schedule that has required them to play Test matches on three different continents in successive weekends.

This month, Steve Borthwick’s squad has traveled a staggering 26,000 miles, with at least one senior player advocating for a reduction in travel demands for all teams involved.

After competing in Johannesburg, Liverpool, and Santiago del Estero against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina, Ben Earl, England's No 8, voiced his frustrations about the logistical challenges. He stated, “It’s been brutal... it’s tough, but we’ve got to do what we can and try to make the best of it.” He emphasized the unusual nature of the back-and-forth travel, especially at the end of a long season.

In contrast, Ireland opted for neutral ground in Australia for their match against Japan, avoiding the need for extensive travel to Tokyo. Earl suggested that consolidating matches in one location could benefit both teams and fans, expressing, “You just go to one nation and have a festival feel.”

The Nations Championship, launched this year as a broadcaster-friendly alternative, poses challenges for preparation time, leading to less training for visiting teams. Earl noted, “You just don’t do as much training,” highlighting the difficulties of maintaining performance under such conditions. Despite these challenges, he acknowledged the adaptability required from players, comparing it to experiences from the British & Irish Lions tour last summer.