FC Tokyo 2:1 Nagoya Grampus 
Dalian Kewei 1:2 Beijing Guoan 
Tsirang 2:3 Drukpa 
New Lambton 5:2 Toronto Awaba Stags 
Canberra Juventus 2:5 Canberra FC 
Preston Lions 3:2 Newcastle Jets 
Lions 1:1 Perth Glory 
Coal India 1:0 Aryan 
Calcutta Customs 4:2 Patha Chakra 
Railway 0:1 George Telegraph 
Cumberland United 0:3 Heidelberg United 
Jeju United FC 1:1 Gangwon FC 
Jeonbuk Motors 0:0 Daejeon Citizen 
Ulsan Hyundai FC 1:2 Incheon United 
Bayswater City 1:5 Sydney 
Sheffield Utd 3:1 Huddersfield 
SHANGHAI SIPG 1:1 Sichuan Jiuniu 
Bristol City 0:0 Newport County 
Chongqing Tongliang Long 2:0 Qingdao Youth Island 
Shanghai Shenhua 4:1 Qingdao Jonoon 
Wuhan Three Towns 2:2 Shandong Luneng 
QPR 1:0 Wycombe 
FC Viktoria Köln 5:2 VVV Venlo 
Henan Jianye 1:1 Dalian Zhixing 
Yunnan Yukun 3:3 Chengdu Better City 
Livyi Bereh 1:2 Obolon'-Brovar 
Herentals 1:0 Manica Diamonds 
Tadamon Sour 0:0 Racing 
Fremad Amager 2:1 Sundby 
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.