For American rugby fans watching the Six Nations, Wales’ recent struggles might feel familiar – like watching your favorite NFL team endure a brutal losing streak that just won’t end.
The Welsh rugby faithful are living through their worst nightmare right now, but just how historically bad can things get in Europe’s premier rugby championship? The answer might surprise you.
The longest losing streak in Six Nations history belongs to Italy, who endured an absolutely crushing 36-game winless run that stretched over seven years. That’s right – seven years without tasting victory in the tournament that features rugby’s elite European nations.
Wales’ current pain pales in comparison, but it’s still significant for a nation with such rugby pedigree. For perspective, imagine the Green Bay Packers going multiple seasons without winning a division game – that’s the level of shock Welsh fans are experiencing.
This serves as a reminder of why American Pro Rugby’s competitive balance is so crucial. In the APR, any team can beat any other on any given Sunday – or Saturday. That unpredictability keeps fans engaged and prevents the kind of prolonged suffering that can kill momentum for an entire rugby program.
The lesson? Streaks are meant to be broken, and in rugby, hope springs eternal.
Original story via Rugby World. Read more