Lions to take on Pumas in tour warm-up

The British and Irish Lions are to take on Argentina in the Millennium Stadium on May 23rd as a warm-up match for the tour to New Zealand.

The game will give Sir Clive Woodward some much-sought after time with the players in advance of the tour. Woodward has been pressing for time with the players during the season and this will be seen as a coup for him, as the Lions break with the norm in hosting a domestic match, though they did host a Rest of the World XV in 1986 as part of the IRB centenary celebrations.

The Irish contingent can be forgiven for thinking to themselves “Could you not find anybody else, lads?”, as Argentina and Ireland have met so often recently. And in matches that have been nothing if not physical. Add in the forthcoming Autumn international and Irish members of the Lions party may be meeting the Pumas for the seventh time in less than six years.

For the Pumas, it’s a terrific opportunity to go after the scalp of the cream of the talent from these islands.

It’s also a great coup for the Welsh Rugby Union, as they have fought off the attentions of Twickenham in landing the fixture. It will provide a significant cash injection to the WRU.

2005 LIONS – TOUR SCHEDULE:
June 4: Bay of Plenty
June 8: Taranaki
June 11: NZ Maori
June 15: Wellington
June 18: Otago
June 21: Southland
June 25: 1st Test – Christchurch

June 28: Manawatu
July 2: 2nd Test – Wellington

July 5: Auckland
July 9: 3rd Test – Auckland