A chorus appears to be growing for Argentina to join the Tri Nations, rather than the Six Nations, as the Pumas look to find a home in international rugby's annual tournament calendar.
Despite Argentina submitting an application to join the northern hemisphere's Six Nations, and former great Hugo Porta coming out and saying it was "more viable" for the World Cup bronze medalists to play in the north, latest reactions appear to favour an alignment in the south.
The Six Nations committee met recently in London and gave a firm indication that they viewed a Pumas fit with the Tri Nations as the best option.
"The unanimous view was that a berth had to be found for Argentina in a major tournament," Martyn Thomas, the chairman of the Rugby Football Union's management board, told the Guardian newspaper. "Their performances not just in the World Cup but in recent years merit that.
"The feeling was that, logistically, they would be better off in the Tri Nations. They are a southern-hemisphere team and increasing the size of the Six Nations could lead to fixture problems."
The Guardian also quoted veteran Pumas back Felipe Contepomi backing a move into the Tri Nations.
"I think our future lies in the Tri Nations," said Contepomi. "Otherwise we risk becoming too reliant on European clubs signing up our emerging players."
The future of the Pumas is expected to be a hot topic at the IRB's conference on an "integrated" international season in England at the end of the month.
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