Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
France are looking to host Argentina in Lille. Les Bleus will play host to Los Pumas on November 17 in the only match between the countries in France between Rugby World Cups 2015 and 2019.
The match is to be the second for both countries in the 2018 November Internationals. Argentina will play away to Ireland and Scotland on November 10 and 24 respectively. France, meanwhile, are to also host South Africa and Fiji.
For a look at Argentina’s complete 2018 fixtures click here.
France’s matches against South Africa and Fiji are to be at the Stade de France in Paris. In between these matches France is looking to use an alternative venue. The Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille is top of the list.
With a capacity of 50,000 the venue is one included for RWC 2023. It was constructed in the years following RWC 2007 and therefore did not feature in France’s previous RWC tournament.
It has been used for rugby, however. Both Top14 clubs and the FFR have utilized Lille in recent years. It was considered for hosting France vs Japan last November but that match was ultimately played at the U Arena in Paris.
In keeping with tradition France is to move a fixture away from the Stade de France this November. Reports from France indicate that France was looking to play host to Fiji on November 10 in St. Ettienne. Instead that game will be played in the capital with Argentina instead playing in France’s far north.
It will be the second time that the Stade Pierre Mauroy has hosted France vs Argentina. Los Pumas took on France at the stadium in November 2012. The match video from that fixture is posted below.
