Jonny Wilkinson believes the new Nations Championship could add “another dynamic” to international rugby.
However, the 2003 World Cup-winning former England flyhalf warned player workload will be key to its success.
The annual competition, which will replace the traditional July and November tours, will see 12 nations compete for a place in a final to be staged in London.
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“It could give rugby another dynamic, because right now it’s a bit split between the hemispheres,” Wilkinson said in Paris.
“Being able to play against teams like New Zealand, South Africa, Australia not in a disconnected way, could be interesting.
“It also depends on the players. Seasons are long, they have to manage it well.”
England’s opening match in the new competition will against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 4 July.
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England head into the new cycle on the back of a four-match losing streak, having slipped to fifth in this year’s Six Nations after a historic defeat to Italy and a 48-46 loss to eventual champions France.
That downturn followed a 12-match unbeaten run, which included statement wins over New Zealand and France and briefly positioned Borthwick’s side among the favourites for the Webb Ellis Cup.
Wilkinson, who famously kicked England to World Cup glory in 2003, also highlighted the challenges of managing playmakers in modern teams.
“When I played, when the game plan wasn’t built around me, I felt like the 10 was forgotten,” he said.
“What [coach] Clive Woodward did with me, he said, for the next two-three years, I believe in you. But that’s difficult, you can’t forget an Ntamack or a Jalibert.
“It’s a blessing and curse, it’s a really important job for a coach.”
Wilkinson says Steve Borthwick’s side must first rediscover consistency if they are to challenge for the 2027 World Cup.
“With England the key is to be able to find that kind of performance and intensity whatever the situation,” he said. “That performance was a blessing but it brings with it a level of expectation.
“People say ‘I can’t wait for the next game’ if they can find that level of performance and then people think that the next World Cup can be huge.
“If they can find it and secure it, build on it then brilliant, but that needs to be seen soon.”
– AFP
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