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Los Pumas and France are to play Two Tests in Tucumán, the UAR confirmed today. The unprecedented move of having two tests in the same province will Argentina hosting both home tests against France this coming June in the rugby stronghold of Tucumán.
The UAR is to work together with local government authorities to have rugby play a significant part in the Argentina’s Bicentennial independence celebrations.
The Estadio del Club Atlético Tucumán is host the two test matches on Sunday June 19 and Saturday June 25. These dates are to coincide with the French Top 14’s Semi Finals and Final which are to significantly influence the make-up of France’s touring squad.
UAR President Carlos Araujo commented “it is great for the UAR to come to Tucumán at a time as important as the country’s Bicentennial. In addition to the presence of Los Pumas, there is to be an intense coaching program during the prior week, with UAR trainers aiming to attract more people to the sport“.
Tucumán has been used regularly by the UAR in the past, hosting a total of nine prior Pumas test matches. It hosted tests from 2004-2014 against France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland (as pictured) and Wales. The most recent home international was against Ireland in 2014.
With the venue losing out to other bidding cities it is yet to be allocated a Rugby Championship home international. But in hosting both tests against France Tucumán and the region are to be more than compensated.
Tucumán has been a hot-bed for Los Pumas with the city, province and neighbors all producing Pumas players past and present. Los Jaguares squad members Gabriel Ascárate, Ramiro Moyano, Matías Orlando, Lucas Noguera Paz and Nicolás Sánchez are all from Tucumán.
