Argentina vs Japan in November?

Is there to be an Argentina vs Japan test match in November? According to the French-based site japon.net, yes. Japon Rugby reports that Argentina is to open it’s November tour of Europe with a test match against Japan in the U.K.

The fixture is to make Los Pumas’ three-match tour that month into one reminiscent of Rugby Championship rivals. It means that for the first time Argentina will play four end-of-year test matches in Europe, all of them being in the U.K. Earlier in the year the UAR confirmed that Argentina will play against Wales, Scotland and England.

November 03 is to fall on a Thursday, making the fixture a mid-week match. In the past such matches have seen a variety of Tier 2 unions playing against Aviva Premiership clubs ahead of capped matches during the subsequent weeks of November tours. A club, such as Gloucester, looms as being the potential host for Japan vs Argentina.

Daniel Hourcade’s team are confirmed to be playing their first November international in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday November 12. With the UAR having closed doors to European based players for Pumas selection, the possibility now exists for an additional test.

The fourth international would be four weeks after that of Argentina vs Australia which is also scheduled to be played in the U.K. The October 08 fixture will be the closing match of the 2016 Rugby Championship.

Japan are expected to follow up their sensational Rugby World Cup 2015 campaign by playing a three-test tour of Europe in November. The Japanese are understood to be playing away tests in Georgia (Nov 12), Wales (Nov 19) and Romania (Nov 26) and desire a second opportunity against a Tier 1 opponent.

With Argentina looming as Japan’s opening challenge come November, the Brave Blossoms will have an vastly improved international calendar than that from previous years. It is seen as both a reward for defeating South Africa, Samoa and the USA at Rugby World Cup 2015 and also as a means of ensuring Japan can be well prepared as the home team come Rugby World Cup 2019.

Argentina and Japan have met on five previous occasions. Los Pumas have four wins and one loss. The last time the teams met was in April 2005 in a match used by the UAR as preparation for facing the British and Irish Lions in Wales the following month. Argentina won 68-36 in what was the test debut of the 65-time capped Juan Manuel Leguizamón.