‘Why not?’ – Felipe Contepomi backs Argentina to host the British and Irish Lions tour
"Yeah, maybe Argentina needs to win a World Cup before at least, I don't know."
Argentina head coach and Los Pumas legend Felipe Contepomi has backed the idea of the British and Irish Lions touring the South American country.
There is scope for the famous touring side to head to Argentina in 2029 as the current schedule is up for renewal after the 2025 tour to Australia.
Traditionally, the Lions have alternated between touring Australia, South Africa and New Zealand every four years but there is a possibility this could change.
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With this in mind, the president of Rugby South America, Sebastian Pineyrua, has issued an invitation to the British and Irish Lions.
“A Lions tour to South America should at least be on the table because it could be good for both parties,” he told Mail Sport earlier this month.
It would not be the first time that the Lions would tour Argentina having gone to South America on three occasions between 1910 and 1930 but never in the professional era.
With the schedule up for renewal, there is also a chance that South Africa could jump at the opportunity to replace New Zealand as the touring destination for 2029 after the pandemic hampered the 2021 tour.
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Still, Pineyrua believes that Argentina could be a better stop for the Lions than another traditional destination.
“At the moment, I think South America would be a better tour than going to Australia,” he added.
“I don’t know how many fans of Australia will follow the Wallabies now because they are not in the best moment. Here in South America, we have very nice countries, a lot of tourists, coasts, beautiful places to bring fans. Of course it’s a good idea.”
That interview has sparked the debate over whether Argentina should be one of the quad-annual stops for the British and Irish Lions and the Pumas head coach has weighed in with his stance.
Contepomi’s view
Before heading Down Under next year, the Lions will face off against Argentina in Dublin – their first fixture against the South American side in 20 years.
Contepomi pulled on the blue and white hooped Pumas jersey that day and is now set to lead the side as head coach against the Lions this time around.
Appearing on Off The Ball, the legendary ex-fly-half was asked whether Argentina should be added to the list of destinations for the Lions.
“Yeah, maybe Argentina needs to win a World Cup before at least, I don’t know,” he joked.
“It would be great, but I understand that there’s a lot of history in those tours and the way that they do it.
“Argentina is not a young nation rugby-wise, but probably it’s young in terms of being with the big, big dogs, we only started playing in the Rugby Championship 11 years ago and before that, we didn’t have a competition.
“So in that sense, it’s a young Tier One team but even with history, why not? Maybe in the future, it will be great to have the British and Irish Lions here.”
Zoning on the clash in Dublin, he added: “I think for us, it is a great opportunity to go and play them next year.
“I mean 20 years ago in 2005, when we drew with them at Millennium, it was one of my best experiences in the Argentina jersey, so hopefully we can we can have a good experience in Dublin this time.”