The International Rugby Board has announced an exciting new
structure for the Americas Rugby Championship 2010, which will be
played in Argentina from October 5-15.
Building on the success of the inaugural tournament last
year, the 2010 edition will feature international A teams as part
of the IRB's global drive to provide Targeted High Performance
Unions with access to an expanded high-level competition calendar.
Hosts Argentina will be joined by Canada Selects, USA Select
XV and Tonga A in an exciting line-up for the three-round
tournament in Cordoba that will provide a key preparation platform
for all four Unions ahead of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.
"This new-look Americas Rugby Championship represents a
great step forward for the Game across North and South America,
providing an expanded competition format that will generate
exciting and competitive matches, while allowing the participating
Unions to take a closer look at the development of their elite
domestic-based players ahead of RWC 2011," said IRB Head of
Development and Performance Mark Egan.
"Tonga has been invited to participate in the tournament
this year in order to provide the Union with much needed additional
international fixtures as they work towards the opening game of RWC
2011 against the All Blacks. They will provide stern opposition for
USA Select XV, Canada Selects and the Jaguars, whose players
don't normally get an opportunity to test themselves against
the mighty Pacific Islanders.
"The move from a regional format to a competition
featuring international A teams fits well with the strategic aims
of the participating Unions and underlines the IRB's commitment
to delivering an integrated schedule that combines IRB Strategic
investment tournaments within a framework that also delivers
regular international matches for targeted High Performance
Unions."
"Canada, USA, Tonga and Argentina are all priority
Unions for our High Performance investment programme and this new
tournament structure is central to the IRB's strategic aim of
increasing global competitiveness and in particular the performance
of Tier 2 teams at Rugby World Cup," added Egan.
The Americas Rugby Championship kicks off in Córdoba on
October 5 and for the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) presents the
opportunity to build on the success of hosting the record-breaking
IRB Junior World Championship 2010 and continue to bring on
home-grown talent through the Union's High Performance
structures.
"We are delighted to be chosen as hosts for this
tournament, which will play an important role in the promotion of
the Game within Argentina and also the development of our High
Performance programmes," said Luis Castillo, the UAR
President.
"For our players, the Americas Rugby Championship
represents a great opportunity to access high level competition.
Córdoba will be an excellent host and we will work in partnership
to deliver what promises to be a memorable and successful
tournament."
For participating Unions, the tournament provides a key
preparation platform ahead of an expanded November programme,
meaning that each will have access to unprecedented high-level
competition during the window, providing vital preparation ahead of
Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.
"The ARC is an important tournament for a number of
reasons. It gives our domestic-based players an opportunity to
compete in a high level competition and this year it will also
prove excellent preparation for the Eagles' November Tour to
Europe, also allowing players a shot at inclusion on that
tour," said USA coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
Americas Rugby Championship 2010
Round One: Tuesday, 5 October 2010
USA Select XV v Tonga A
Argentina Jaguars v Canada Selects
Round Two: Sunday, 10 October, 2010
Canada Selects v Tonga A
Argentina Jaguars v USA Select XV
Round Three: Friday, 15 October, 2010
Canada Selects v USA Select XV
Argentina Jaguars v Tonga A