Chile secure home test against Romania

Chile have secured a home test match against Romania in June. To be played on Saturday, June 08 the home fixture for Chile is to be their first of two home June Internationals, the second being against Spain on June 15.

Los Cóndores match against Romania will be played at the Estadio Elías Figueroa in Valparaíso, a venue which played host to two matches un the 2015 Copa América soccer competition. The fixture will be the first between the countries.

Romania were disqualified from RWC 2019 for breaking player eligibility laws. This saw them expelled form the tournament after having qualified with Russia ultimately taking their place. Also disqualified was Spain who had been very well positioned before a series of events unfolded against Belgium.

In the thirteen months since the March 2018 match in which Belgium were 18-10 winners over Spain there has been no shortage of important developments for the European countries. In the case of Spain they have been able to get back on track while Romania has been experiencing complications which see the sport struggling domestically.

The opportunity to tour in June is welcome news for Romania. The Oaks were surprisingly excluded from the 2019 Nations Cup which will take place in Montevideo, Uruguay in June. In addition to Los Teros the competition will also include Namibia, Russia, and the Argentina XV.

For Chile it marks a major achievement. Los Cóndores will have two home test matches against higher ranked touring countries, something long desired with Chile notably lacking test match opportunities.

Chile’s preparation for international duty will begin tomorrow. On Monday, April 22 Los Cóndores will begin training for the upcoming Sudaméricano 6 Naciones A. The competition will see Chile facing Uruguay on May 11 at home and playing away against the Argentina XV on May 18 and Paraguay on May 25.

The fixtures take Chile’s 2019 schedule up to 10 international matches. Los Cóndores began the year in February by playing in the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC).

CHILE FIXTURES 2019
Saturday February 02: Chile 8-71 USA
Friday February 08: Uruguay 20-5 Chile
Friday February 22: Canada 56-0 Chile
Saturday March 02: Brazil 15-10 Chile
Saturday March 09: Chile 10-85 Argentina XV
Saturday May 11: Chile vs Uruguay
Saturday May 18: Argentina XV vs Chile
Saturday May 15: Paraguay vs Chile
Saturday June 08: Chile vs Romania
Saturday June 15: Chile vs Spain

via AmericasRugbyNews.com