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Argentina, Fiji, and Italy are to play in 2018 Nations Cup in Uruguay. As confirmed in December Uruguay will host the tournament for the second year running. But this year the participants are to be notably altered to that of 2017.
In 2017 Montevideo played host to the Nations Cup. Uruguay made history by going undefeated, claiming wins over Russia, Spain and Emerging Italy. The Argentina XV and Namibia were the additional participants.
For this year’s edition Uruguay is to be joined by three other teams. This marks a reduction from six to four teams. Those competing are to be the Fiji Warriors, Argentina XV, Emerging Italy, and Uruguay.
In addition to the participants the 2018 tournament is also to be played in an altogether different location. The tournament will be played in Canelones with the Estadio Parque Artigas hosting all matches in the competition.
The tournament will take place from June 2-10. This means it falls within the World Rugby mandatory player release window. Despite this being the case the competition will not see test matches being played. Instead Argentina, Fiji, and Italy are to all be involved in June Internationals with their respective test teams.
The teams from the three countries playing in Uruguay are to be their official ‘A’ sides. Namibia’s non-involvement is due to more pressing issues. The country will be competing for the right to be Africa 1. The round of the African qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup will be taking place at the same time.
Russia missed out on qualifying for RWC 2019 while Spain is just 80 minutes away from booking the Europe 1 spot. Spain face Belgium in an away match this coming Saturday. A win will see Los Leones qualifying for their second RWC in history, the prior occasion being 1999.
