Home series for Wales this summer is confirmed
WALES will face both Canada and Argentina in Cardiff this summer.
World Rugby have published a confirmed list of summer fixtures, revealing that Wayne Pivac’s Six Nations winners will host Canada on July 3 before welcoming Argentina to the Welsh capital for back-to-back fixtures on July 10 and July 17.
The original plan had been for Wales to head to south America for matches against both Argentina and Uruguay.
However, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic ruled out that plan - with WRU chief executive Steve Phillips confirming last month that a series of home Tests would be the likely scenario.
That has proved to be the case, with the three matches a chance for the Welsh stars who didn’t make Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad to impress.
“We are looking forward to this summer, the opportunity it presents, and we are delighted to now whave three tests confirmed,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.
“It is disappointing not to have the opportunity to tour Argentina, especially on the back of our 2020 tour to New Zealand being cancelled, but in the current climate it is completely understandable. What is important is we have games and as we have said all along, this summer is a huge opportunity for us.
“We are delighted and proud to have 10 players selected for the British & Irish Lions, it is reward for all their hard work and we wish them all the best this summer. With those players away we always earmarked this summer as an important development opportunity for us.
“It is an opportunity to bring players into this environment, look at them closely and expose them to test match rugby.
“It is also an opportunity for current internationals to step-up into further leadership roles, so on both counts it is an important camp for us looking ahead to RWC2023.”
The match against Canada will also see Wales come face to face with Rob Howley for the first time since he left his post as Wales’ assistant coach in 2019 after breaching betting rules.
The former Wales and Lions scrum-half is now Canada’s assistant coach, having been appointed last September to assist former Wales captain Kingsley Jones.
“It is a huge credit to World Rugby that a full schedule of summer international rugby has been achieved against the backdrop of the global pandemic,” added WRU CEO Phillips.