NPR

Seems to be a slight increase in the number of Tier1 v Tier 2 games this year.

Ireland taking a big step in the right direction and going to both Georgia and Portugal in the summer. England going to the USA, Italy Playing in Zimbabwe, Argentina playing Uruguay, Scotland leading the promotion of Tier 2 rugby as usual with Fiji, Samoa, USA and Tonga.

The only Tier 1 countries who can't be arsed are Wales and New Zealand. When was the last time the All Blacks played a tier 2 outside the world cup?

All about to be knocked on the head by the Nations Cup isn’t it?

Paddington Bear wrote: Tue Mar 11, 2025 11:26 am All about to be knocked on the head by the Nations Cup isn’t it?

Yep, which is another reason why the Nations cup is a fucking terrible idea. Much less Tier 1 v Tier 2 and no multi game tours. You'll never see another England three test tour v South Africa or New Zealand.

I didn't know about Italy playing Zim, that's great news. Perhaps Negri had something to do with it.

Much needed high-level gametime in the run-up to the Africa Gold Cup.

Zim players in the URC and Varsity Cup are doing well, let's just hope we can beat Namibia again this year.