Why the view from World Rugby’s autumn window is a worrying one

Missing faces at next month’s internationals highlight the row between clubs and countries that needs to be solvedRugby’s autumn internationals will be ready to rumble this time next month. England have a huge game against South Africa at Twickenham, Wales meet Scotland in Cardiff and Ireland face Italy in Chicago. These are big occasions with significant revenues. It is strange, then, that no one in charge of selling tickets, hospitality packages or television subscriptions has added a vital asterisk: two thirds of the competing countries will be fielding weakened teams.Many people will have …