This has come up before but Argentina have raised the issue again. In the past I was in favour of it but didn’t know how it work out logistically. I didn’t realise that they are intending on basing themsleves in Spain. In that context there is no reason at all why they shouldn’t be admitted. France and England reckon there isn’t enough room in the calendar but their calendars need reforming anyway.
They should be put under pressure to allow Argentina to join.
Argentina coach again seeks Six Nations spot
Paul Rees
Argentina’s coach Marcelo Loffreda last night made a renewed plea for the Pumas to be added to the Six Nations Championship, arguing they would raise the standard of the tournament and broaden the horizons of the game in Europe by being based in Spain.
The Argentinians this week climbed to fifth in the world rankings, their highest-ever position, with only one Six Nations team, France, above them, and in recent years they have defeated all of the participating countries, and picked up victories in Marseille, Twickenham and Cardiff.
Despite their success, though, doors have stayed shut to them, Australia opposing their entry into the Tri-Nations and England and France saying there is no room in the calendar for an extra Six Nations fixture.
“The International Rugby Board has been very supportive, but nothing is happening,” said Loffreda, who is Leicester-bound after the World Cup. “The Six Nations would be better for us because most of our players are based in Europe, and Spain would be a natural country to play in.”
All but one of the starting 15 to face Wales tomorrow earn their living in Europe, the stand-in full-back Federico Serra the exception.