The longest ever International season? And it consequences for the RSA tour?

I accept the England squad will have changed/developed considerably over the period, however it is one scary mary fact that this has got to have been the longest international season in history. England first met Wales after one or two afternoons training (though I suspect perhaps there was a little more to it) on 7th August 2011 and will finally bring the curtain down in RSA on 23rd June 2012.
Now, it is obvious to most that im not the sharpest tool in the box but, might the extra couple of games played this year have an effect on our chances down south? Seriously the players, especially those who will have been there all along, are going to be absolutely knackered. Surely this is when most injuries occur? If the players were performing animals (steady on the IF) then it wouldnt be allowed......youd have unesco or someone with an injunction....

Based on this fact alone, regardless of all the other genuine rugby reasons, I think well be lucky to win zip in the 3 tests. I can dream on but it is sheer utter madness to have 12 month seasons.

The longest ever season was in 91, 95, 99, 03 and 07. They all lasted four long years.

But I take your point. Throw in a Lions Tour on the end for some players next year and the number of tests seems out of hand.

The SH seemed to have a more sensible season until this Super tournament got out of hand and we now see rugby in February (even earlier if you count pre-season games) and ending in November.

It isn't the tests that are out of hand, they make up roughly 25-30% of an international players matches per year.

It is the club/provincial rugby where players are milked for every penny worth of blood sweat and guts.

Yes quite agree. Sadly, the top NZ players hardly play in the ITM tournament now as the Super juggernaut makes that impractical. But the NH has a lot of club commitments that often seem detrimental to the test season. Sadly, the provincial scene in the SH looks to be heading that way.