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Italy are to face Argentina in Flornce in November, the FIR has confirmed. The fixture is to be the second of three matches in the month for both countries. Argentina face England while Italy host Fiji in their respective previous fixtures.
Italy will play home matches in Catania (Sicily), Florence and Padova. The home series is unique as Italy is up against three teams that have previously all fallen against the Italians. The Springboks apperance in Padova is one year on from their shock defeat against Italy.
For Argentina the match against Italy looms as a stiff challenge but a welcome one. Having lost a home series 2-0 against England in June and being troubled by Georgia, Los Pumas are currently in a tough spot. A lack of results in the Rugby Championship has not eased concerns.
Argentina’s November Internationals this year see matches in London, Florence and Dublin. Of the three the match against Italy is to be regarded as the easiest of the three. England and Ireland have both impressed since Rugby World Cup 2015. England have beaten Argentina three times since then while Ireland recorded a first ever since over New Zealand.
The match against Italy is to be the 22nd between the countries. Argentina has a 15-1-5 record. Italy’s last win over Argentina weas in Córdoba in June 2008. Daniel Hourcade currently has a 3-0 record against Italy. Wins have been by scorelines of 30-24 in Santa Fé in 2016, 20-18 in Genoa in 2014 and 19-14 in Rome in 2013.
Italy’s most recent home win over Argentina was in 1998. The 23-19 win in Piacenza has been followed by seven losses. These have taken place in the cities of Genoa, Rome, Turin and Verona.
The match in Florence will be the first time the teams have met in the city. The first time the countries played a test match was in 1978. Italy won 19-6 in Rovigo.
