The last time Argentina and Scotland  met was in the World Cup, where a 19-13 Pumas victory was actually the closest any team came to the eventual World Cup bronze medalists, beyond the loss to eventual champions South Africa.

In further news for both nations, the six-nation Churchill Cup has now been confirmed, with the Pumas, England, Ireland and Scotland fielding their 'A' teams alongside the Americans and Canadians.

Santiago Phelan, who was capped 44 times for the Pumas, has been Argentina's coach officially since March, taking over from Marcelo Loffreda – who was regarded as the finest coach the South Americans ever had.  He is now in charge of Leicester Tigers.

'A series win for the Scots, currently ranked 10th in the world, could move into the top eight – which is crucial for seedings for the 2011 World Cup'


The 35-strong squad to face Scotland is now officially in camp, being led by their assistant coach Mariano Fernandez.  The biggest news is that only four players from the World Cup team are present - Manuel Contepomi, Hernan Senillosa, Martin Durand and Federico Serra.

The entire contingent are from South American competition – a clear indication that the development towards a professional Argentinian domestic competition is closer to fruition. Loffreda has made it clear that he will not rely on his European-based players, as they may still be involved in the final stages of northern tournaments. He said it will come down to whether or not they are released – but the union does desire Argentina to be as strong as possible, considering that the IRB and SANZAR are scrutinising them for entry to a major international championship outside the World Cup.

The first step now that the training squad is established is that the Pumas undergo at least four weeks heavy training counting down to the first Test on June 7.  Over half of the squad are uncapped.

Some players will be discarded to play in the A team, but others will be named to play the Scottish. The most important decision will be regarding the captaincy and the starting scrum-half – as Agustin Pichot has now retired from international rugby.  Also a defeat in this series will drop the Pumas from their lofty third-ranked position in world rugby.

Meanwhile, Scotland coach Frank Hadden knows the tour has numerous points of importance for him. The Scots have been dismal of late, and know that improvement for the sake of the nation must start here.  World rankings are on offer as well, for a series win for the Scottish, currently ranked 10th in the world, could move into the top eight – which is crucial for seedings for the 2011 World Cup.

Hadden and the Scotland board have said that the tour would be for development purposes, but this is not the view any more. It could be a tactful way of the board telling the national coach that failure on this tour will in fact cost him his job.

A 30-man squad has been named, and it is rumoured the management and support team will be double what it was when the Scots last made a national tour – to South Africa.  Five more men will be named, with the coaching party watching final European games to tweak the final outfit.

There are three uncapped players in the squad, Ben Cairns, Thom Evans and Moray Low. The players have shown a large amount of enthusiasm, with all of them reportedly getting back to Hadden within half an hour of the squad being named."I was heartened by that and it shows just how determined they are to play for their country,” he stated.

Dougie Hall has been named in the 30 after a prolonged injury absence, but Jason White will not tour. Mike Blair will captain the party.

Argentina squad: Backs: Fernandez (Hindu), Urdapilleta (CUBA), Amelong (Jockey Club Rosario), Azcarate (Club Natacion y Gimnasia), Camacho (Buenos Aires), Contepomi (Newman), Gauthier, Senillosa (both Hindu), Barrera Oro (Universitario), Serra (SIC), Vergallo (Jockey Club Rosario), Albarracin (La Plata), Bruzzone, Lalanne, Lopez Fleming (all SIC), Bustos Moyano (Cordoba Athletic), Merello (Regatas Bella Vista), Miralles (Duendes), Nunez Piossek (Huirapuca). Forwards: Gomez Kodela (Belgrano Athletic), Gambarini, Stuart (both CASI), Aranguren (CUBA), Lagarrigue (Cardenales), Durand (Champagnat), Senatore (Gimnasia y Esgrima Rosario), Maria (La Tablada), Costa Repetto (Los Matreros), Genoud (Los Tordos), Campos (Pueyrredon), Lecot (Regatas Bella Vista), Abadie (San Fernando), Bettolli, Caceres (both Tucuman Lawn Tennis), Guzman (Tucuman RC).

Scotland squad: Backs: Chris Paterson (Gloucester), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Rugby), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby - captain), plus two players to be selected later this month. Forwards: Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), Dave Callam (Edinburgh Rugby), Johnnie Beattie, John Barclay, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), plus three players to be selected later this month.