Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Argentina have added a Barbarians date to their 2018 November Internationals. The fixture sees Daniel Hourcade’s Pumas playing four matches in their end of year European tour.
Scheduled for Saturday December 01, the match will follow tests against Ireland, France and Scotland. It is to be Argentina’s second four-match tour in three years. In November 2016 Los Pumas faced Japan, Wales, Scotland and England.
The 2016 tour saw a strong start against the Japanese in Tokyo. From there Los Pumas would lose all three matches, suffering an historic whitewash in Europe. In November 2017 they defeated Italy in Florence but lost to both England and Ireland.
Renewed confidence in the system sees the UAR scheduling the match against the Barbarians. It is on the back of Mario Ledesma’s transformation of Los Jaguares into a Super Rugby winning team.
Whether or not European-Based players will be considered for the tour remains unconfirmed. For the upcoming June Internationals only Jaguares players will pull on Los Pumas’ shirts. However the Rugby Championship is expected to see players from Europe in the mix.
Argentina’s European-Based players have been hallmarks of their success over the years. This past Sunday two of them played for the Barbarians, defeating England at Twickenham Stadium. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe played in his retirement match, going out as captain. He was joined by Ramiro Moyano.
The last time Argentina faced the Barbarians it was without European-Based players. The fixture was a post-RWC 2015 match in London. Argentina went on to win 49-31 with tries being scored by Facundo Isa, Santiago Cordero (2), Ramiro Moyano, Nicolás Sánchez and Jerónimo de la Fuente.
ARGENTINA’S 2018 NOVEMBER INTERNATIONALS
Saturday November 10 Ireland vs Argentina, Dublin, Ireland
Saturday November 17 France vs Argentina, Lille, France
Saturday November 24 Scotland vs Argentina, Edinburgh, UK
Saturday December 01 Barbarians vs Argentina, London, UK
