Argentina to face Wales, Scotland and England in November 2016

Los Pumas will play tests in Wales, Scotland and England in November 2016 it was confirmed today by the UAR on social media. The South Americans will complete a record-setting year of international competition in 2016 by playing three test matches in the U.K.

It will bring to an end a comprehensive year of international competition in which Argentina will play no fewer than thirteen different nations. In addition to November Argentina is confirmed to be playing in the Americas Rugby Cup (Americas Six Nations) championship in February and March, CONSUR Cup in May, hosting three test matches in June and playing in the Rugby Championship from August to October.

In 2016 Los Pumas will thereby face all of Australia (2), Brazil, Chile, Canada, England, France (2), Italy, New Zealand (2), Scotland, South Africa (2), Uruguay, USA and Wales. An additional fixture against Romania has also been speculated as being scheduled for June.

Should the Romanian fixture be added the Argentina would have a staggering 17 test matches in 2016 but the number will, in fact be even higher. Argentina’s involvement in the CONSUR Cup against the top two teams from the 2016 South American A Championship will see the number of capped internationals reach 19. Two of Brazil*, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay could thus play Argentina twice in 2016.

By way of comparison Argentina ten years earlier in 2006 played eight matches, hosting three in June, playing three in Europe in November and playing two in the South American Championship. Like in November 2006 Argentina will play a test match in England. The fixture will mark ten years since Agustín Pichot captained Los Pumas to a historic victory at the Cathedral.

* Brazil will firstly need to defeat Colombia in the promotion vs relegation clash between the South American B Championship winner and the bottom team from the 2015 South American A Championship.