Rugby:Ireland's summer tour of Argentina is still scheduled to go ahead as planned despite the IRFU's displeasure at the procrastination of the host union over the venue for the first Test.
Despite frequent enquiries, the IRFU couldn't tie down the Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) over a venue for the first Test and so enlisted the help pf the International Board.
Irish rugby's governing body made a close-of-business plea yesterday to try and get some indication of Argentina's plans. The latter communicated through the IRB that they encountered difficulty in securing a ground because of a disagreement with the host club but, as things stood, the Argentinians were reasonably confident that the first Test would take place in Santa Fe in north eastern Argentina.
Santa Fe is the capital city of the province of the same name and is the country's ninth largest city. The UAR still haven't brokered an agreement for the venue in question but they were able to confirm to the IRB and by extension the IRFU that the first Test would either take place in Santa Fe, or failing that negotiation, Rosario, and that the matter would be resolved by early next week.
The IRFU confirmed that they will fly to Buenos Aires as scheduled and, while there was annoyance over the delay, the union accept the matter will be resolved by early next week. The second Test will take place in Buenos Aires.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/b8579731-42ca-490f-b2ff-27eb94cbcd65.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)