Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu insists the current rugby calendar is unsustainable amid fears that the new Nations Championship could lead to more injuries and player burnout.
The new-look tournament gets under way this weekend, with Scotland set to take on Argentina in Cordoba on Saturday evening.
Gregor Townsend’s men will then head to Pretoria to face South Africa next weekend, before finishing their summer schedule against Fiji at Murrayfield.
The new format, which pits northern and southern hemisphere teams against each other, is designed to create more jeopardy come the second tranche of fixtures in the autumn.
But several players and coaches have spoken out about the bloated schedule and the extra strain it will put on those involved.
As per current guidelines from the International Rugby Players’ Association, designed in conjunction with World Rugby, it is stated that no player should ever play more than 30 games a season.
Sione Tuipulotu is concerned that the current schedule places players at risk of burnout
Tuipulotu played a total of 29 matches for Scotland and Glasgow Warriors last season — and that came immediately off the back of a gruelling tour of Australia with the British and Irish Lions last summer.
The Scotland captain will exceed the 30-game threshold, as will countless other players around other teams in the Nations Championship.
Pointing out the concerns over player welfare, Tuipulotu believes his views are shared by many of his colleagues.
‘Yeah, there’s a lot to be said about the amount of rugby going on,’ he said. ‘I’m not too sure I agree with the amount of rugby going on and how sustainable it really is.
‘That’s just my honest truth as a player. I’m sure worldwide a lot of players, particularly the ones playing in Europe, will agree with me.
‘But, at the moment, that’s our job and that’s what the calendar says. Until something’s done about it, that’s just how it goes.
‘There’s a lot of boys that have played a lot of rugby over the last while. I even think of guys like Tom Jordan. I know he’s only come into the international set-up lately, but he played a lot of rugby when I was at Glasgow with him.
Scotland’s captain played 29 games in all competitions last season for club and country
‘He stayed healthy at Bristol this season and played a lot. You have guys like Finn, who played a lot in the Prem for Bath. Ben White played a lot for Toulon.
‘So it’s not just myself who’s played a lot of rugby. There’s a lot of us here that have played a lot of rugby and that’s the way the calendar sits. When we get called upon to play for Scotland, none of us are going to say no.’
On a normal summer tour, teams would generally play three Test matches in locations that are not all that far from each other in order to minimise travel.
However, on this occasion, Scotland have flown to Argentina, will then head to South Africa, before flying back to face Fiji at Murrayfield, albeit that is technically a home game for the Fijians.
England, Ireland and Wales will all face similar journeys at a time when many of the senior players would be enjoying a break in the off-season.
This was not lost on Tuipulotu. Especially given the fact his partner is pregnant at the moment, giving up his summer break to play more rugby felt even more sacrificial than normal.
‘I’ll be completely honest, it’s always in the back of my mind being away from my family,’ explained the Scotland captain.
‘I think if you ever gave me the choice where I’d rather be (at this time of year), I would always choose with my family.
Scotland are looking to avenge November’s defeat to Argentina in Cordoba this weekend
‘Especially with my partner being six to seven months pregnant. She’s battling through it back home and I’m here playing rugby. You do carry that guilt with you, you know? Kyle Steyn is in the same situation.
‘But playing for Scotland is my pride and joy and captaining Scotland is my pride and joy. What we’ve built here over the last, particularly over the last 18 months, makes me so proud.
‘I don’t ever feel as happy playing sport as I do playing for Scotland and playing with this group. So to get more opportunities to play for Scotland, I will always take it as my job.
‘It’s what I think I’m in Scotland to do. I’m relishing these opportunities. I speak to Finn as well, he’s never played for Scotland against the Springboks in South Africa.
‘These things haven’t happened a lot for a Scotland player. I don’t know when, again, I’ll get another opportunity to play Argentina in Argentina and the Springboks in South Africa.
‘So, you know, I’m getting older as well and I just want to relish as many opportunities as I can. I think we all are.’
