Americas Six Nations to Start in February

The historic Americas Six Nations will get the go ahead. The tournament is yet to be officially launched due to ongoing arrangements in regards to the name and sponsor acquisition, but the governing body of Brazilian rugby – the Confederação Brasileira de Rugby (CBRu) – has confirmed the tournament is nonetheless assured of going ahead and that it will indeed start in February of 2016.

The CBRu released the calendar for the competition at an event for sponsors which confirmed that the ground-breaking competition will take place at similar, but not identical, dates to that of Europe’s Six Nations Championship. In Europe the competition involving England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales will be played from February 06 2016 – March 19 2016 with there being rest weekends between weeks 2 and 3 and again between weeks 3 and 4.

The Americas Six Nations, however, is to operate over a smaller period with matches being played on consecutive weekends from February 13 – March 12, though the possibility of a February 6th start is also being discussed. Like in Europe, all teams face each other once and play two or three home matches each.

Brazil is to be fortunate to host three matches and play two away. Two of the three home matches are set to be played in the rugby strongholds of São Paulo state in the southeast and an unnamed southern state, potentially Rio Grande do Sul. The third home international will take place at another location also in either Brazil’s south or south-east. These matches will be against Argentina, Uruguay and the USA. The Tupis two away matches will be against Chile on February 20 and Canada in the final round of March 12.

Americas Rugby News has also learned that the USA will be playing home to three matches and two on the road. The home matches are to be against Canada, Argentina, and Chile, with the Eagles trip to Brazil to also include an away match against Uruguay. Americas Rugby News has learned that match will certainly be taking place at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo.

Americas Rugby News has also been told that talks surrounding where to play the home internationals are ongoing. Venues have been sought in both Florida and Texas with Miami prefered to host Los Pumas only for conflicting dates with venues used by other sports complicating the possibility. Instead the Eagles now appear to host Argentina at the BBVA Stadium in Houston while Canada will play in Sacramento, California.

A recent interview with Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade by Brazilian site Portal do Rugby also confirmed that the competition is on their calendar, and while Rugby Canada have not made any official statement, the potential conflict of the inaugural Vancouver 7s tournament on March 12 appears to be a point of debate.

Brazil Games
February 13 – Brazil vs Uruguay
February  20 – Chile vs Brazil
February 27 – Brazil vs USA
March 05 – Brazil vs Argentina
March 12 – Canada vs Brazil

USA Home Games
Canada vs USA in Sacramento
Argentina vs USA in Houston
USA vs Chile location TBD