SCOTLAND are set to break new ground next summer when they visit Argentina for a three-Test tour - the biggest series they will have ever played against the Pumas. The teams have contested two-match series on three separate occasions, but have never competed over three Tests in the history of the fixture. The games will take place on the first three Saturdays in July, with venues due to be announced shortly. 

It will be a case of taking up where they left off for Gregor Townsend’s side, whose last tour match was against Argentina in the northern city of Resistencia in 2018. Scotland won that fixture 44-15 to bring to a successful end a three-game American tour that had earlier seen them beat Canada then lose to the United States. 

The two tours planned since then - to South Africa and New Zealand in 2020 then to Georgia and Romania this year - were both cancelled because of the pandemic. The last game to date between Scotland and Argentina was at Murrayfield in November 2018, when the home team won 14-9.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh have welcomed Argentine summer signing Emiliano Boffelli to the DAM Health Stadium this week after the versatile back completed his international duties in the Autumn Nations Series by playing in his team’s 53-7 loss to Ireland on Sunday. The 26-year-old from Rosario was at full-back in Dublin but can also play in the centre or on the wing, and joins fellow-countryman Ramiro Moyano in Mike Blair’s squad. 

Boffelli was actually signed from French club Racing 92 while Richard Cockerill was still in charge of Edinburgh, but Blair is more than happy to have both him and Moyano - who made his debut last month - as part of his roster. “I love Argentinians - they’re just great people, always with smiles on their faces,” the head coach said yesterday. “It’s testing my Spanish, as Emiliano’s English needs a little bit of work. I’ve tried throwing out a few Spanish phrases – I’ve ordered a few beers off him! 

“But it’s great to have him here. There’s disappointment that we didn’t have him [earlier] due to the Rugby Championship, but when you look at the cold, hard facts it’s just five games that he’s missed and there’s plenty left in the season. 

“He’ll be here during the Six Nations and for the rest of the season. He’s a quality international. I know Argentina struggled a bit in that last game, but he’s performed pretty consistently throughout, and played well for Racing during his time there too. He was someone who was signed prior to me getting here, but who I’m pleased to have.”