"Could we all just stop for a minute? It was bad enough before France in 2023, and the last few weeks have really taken it a step further."
"Rugby has to be about more than what happens over six weeks every four years. Hopefully it's just the nature of the autumn internationals and it won't be as omnipresent come Six Nations time, but I wouldn't hold your breath."
Concerns focus on rugby being overly defined by short, high-intensity tournament cycles rather than continuous engagement. Attention peaks around events like the 2023 World Cup in France and recent weeks have amplified frustration with that pattern. The six-week, quadrennial tournament model concentrates fandom and media into narrow periods, sidelining broader aspects of the sport. Autumn internationals may intensify that focus temporarily, but there is skepticism that the imbalance will fade by the Six Nations. The situation calls for stronger emphasis on domestic competitions, player development, and sustained international fixtures to maintain rugby's long-term relevance and cultural value.
Read at Independent
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