England to start South America rugby tour in Uruguay

LONDON (AFP) –

Dan Norton of England scores a try against Scotland during the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament on March 23, 2013. England have announced that their summer tour to South America will begin in Uruguay on June 2.

England on Monday announced that their summer tour to South America will begin in Uruguay on June 2.

Stuart Lancaster’s team will meet a CONSUR XV representing the South American nations in Montevideo before playing two Tests against Argentina.

The first Test will be staged in Salta, the setting for the Pumas’ 24-22 victory in 2009, on June 8 and at Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on June 15.

It will be the first two-match series between the teams in Argentina since the 1997 tour and Lancaster, whose side finished runners-up in the recent Six Nations tournament, is set to name his squad in early May.

“Argentina is a formidable rugby nation and we’re looking forward to facing the Pumas in back-to-back Tests, which a young and developing side will need to be at its very best to win,” Lancaster said:

“Together with matches against the Barbarians at Twickenham and the CONSUR team in Uruguay, the summer programme gives this group a real opportunity to measure their progress and continue to learn what they need to succeed at the highest level.”