WALES REVEAL ARGENTINA TOUR FRUSTRATION

Wales are growing increasingly frustrated with the Argentine Rugby Union as they remain in the dark over the venues for their summer Tests against the Pumas.

Warren Gatland’s men are scheduled to play two matches in Argentina but are yet to be informed of where those fixtures will be played, which is having serious implications on their ability to plan for the trip.

Head coach Gatland and team manager Alan Phillips were due to conduct a customary ‘recce’ before Christmas ahead of the Tests on June 9 and 16.

But they were forced to cancel the trip – which involves checking out the stadiums, training facilities, hotels, etc – because they still don’t know in which cities the matches will be played.

They were also forced to cancel the rescheduled trip ahead of the Six Nations as they continue to wait for the crucial information.

The delay is also proving a huge frustration for Welsh supporters who are hoping to follow the side in South America, with travel companies unable to confirm packages because of the uncertainty over the venues.

“We are really looking forward to the tour and excited about going but we are keen to get the fixtures so that we can finalise our preparations,” said a Welsh Rugby Union spokesman.

The WRU aren’t anticipating a final decision from Argentina’s governing body until March, when the ARU have voted on a new board and president.

The frustration for the Wales management is that the rest of their schedule ahead of the global tournament in Japan has been all but confirmed, including training camps and warm-up Tests next year.

There is, however, more positive news on the proposed third summer Test ahead of the Argentina tour.

The WRU are understood to be on the verge of securing a one-off match against South Africa in Washington DC this summer, which would serve as the perfect warm-up for the Pumas.

A stop-off Stateside would not only provide the players a chance to acclimatise to the hopping of time zones, but it would also throw up a number of commercial opportunities, with the headquarters of Under Armour – Wales’ kit manufacturer – under an hour away in Baltimore.

It’s also a potentially lucrative match for both Wales and the Springboks as USA Rugby look to raise the profile of the sport in America.

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