THE IRFU HAS confirmed the venues for Ireland’s two Test tour of Argentina this summer as Resistencia and Tucumán City.
Estadio Centenario in Resistencia will host the opening Test of the mini-series. Resistencia is the capital and largest city of the Chaco region in the northeast of the country, with a population of around 400,000 people.
The second Test will take place at the Estadio José Fierro in Tucumán. With a population of over 780,000, Tucumán is based in the northwestern province which carries the same name. The Estadio José Fierro is home to the Club Atlético Tucumán football team, but has been used by the Pumas on many occasions.
Similarly, local football club Sarmiento de Resistencia play their home games at the Estadio Centenario, but Argentina have made it a rugby stronghold too. The Resistencia-based stadium has a capacity of 25,000, while Estadio José Fierro holds over 32,000.
Ireland’s record against Argentina is somewhat hit and miss, with eight losses and five wins in the sides’ 13 previous meetings. The most recent clash between los Pumas and Ireland was in November 2012, when Declan Kidney’s team were convincing 42-24 victors.
The last time Ireland toured Argentina was in 2007, when they were between twice by the home side.
Ireland’s 2014 Summer Tour of Argentina:
- Argentina v Ireland, Saturday 7th June, 2014 (Estadio Centenario, Resistencia, Chaco)
- Argentina v Ireland, Saturday 14th June, 2014 (Estadio José Fierro, Tucumán)