Toronto Tempo W 83:109 Las Vegas Aces W 
Cangrejeros 95:107 Criollos de Caguas 
Sampaio W 61:46 Cerrado W 
Golden State Valkyries W 82:90 Washington Mystics W 
Seattle Storm W 102:105 Minnesota Lynx W 
Basilan Steel 93:86 Sarangani Marlins 
Meralco Bolts 116:114 Blackwater Bossing 
Manila Batang Quiapo 86:115 Rizal Golden Coolers 
Phoenix Fuelmasters 98:105 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 
Bataan Risers 139:88 Paranaque Patriots 
Gibraltar U18 33:34 Armenia U18 
England rugby player Ben Earl says the schedule for the first Nations Championship was way too tough. He’s asking for changes to make sure players don’t get worn out. The summer leg of the competition left many players feeling exhausted and injured.
Why the Schedule Was So Brutal
Teams had to play several matches in a short time, with long flights between games. This made it hard for players to recover. Earl pointed out that the quick turnaround put everyone’s health at risk.
- Matches were packed into just a few weeks.
- Travel across different time zones added stress.
- Players had little time to rest or train properly.
What Earl Wants to Change
According to Earl, the Nations Championship needs a format that puts player safety first. He suggests spreading out games or cutting down the number of matches. He also wants officials to think about the impact on athletes’ bodies.
Other players have also spoken up about the heavy schedule. They agree that something has to give before future tournaments.
Looking Ahead to a Fairer Competition
Earl hopes his call for change will push rugby leaders to act. A better schedule could make the Nations Championship more exciting and safer for everyone. Fans want to see top athletes compete at their best, not burned out from too many games.