The Prem is now probably on a par with Japan League One in terms of preparing players for the demands of international rugby.
It’s why, if the losing, lacklustre performances of most Prem clubs in the first round of the European Cup is a portent, there is a Nations Championship reckoning on the horizon for England head coach Steve Borthwick, and his team.

Whatever the apologists for English rugby say – and there is an army of them – the Prem is not close to living up to the favourite mantra of its TNT broadcaster that it is “the greatest league in the world”.
The defensive failings of Prem c...