ENGLAND’S decision to play four Autumn Tests in 2018 flaunts the World Rugby delineation of three weekends allocated for international rugby in November/December, just as Wales did this year.
England’s opponents are South Africa (Nov 3), New Zealand (Nov 10), Japan (Nov 17), and Australia (Nov 24), with the Boks Test sitting outside World Rugby’s window.
The RFU itinerary comes at a time when player welfare issues are constantly being raised, with the attrition rate due to injuries to elite players a cause of growing consternation. The news that Wales and Lion...