Wales' South American tour to be scrapped

Wales will not tour South America this summer but hope Argentina could still travel for two tests in July.

The Six Nations champions were set to face Argentina and Uruguay this summer but strict UK government travel restrictions currently in place mean the tour will be postponed.

 Argentina is on the red list of UK government's list of 40 countries from which there are strict restrictions on travel.

"I can't see us travelling to Argentina," Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Steve Phillips said.

"It's a red country and the players coming back would be faced by a hard quarantine of 10 days which we don't think is acceptable where you live in a Heathrow hotel," said continued.

"That is hard going on the back end of a hard season when you are talking about player welfare and rest for next season.

However, Phillips has revealed that the WRU are looking at alternatives including hosting Argentina in the UK.

"The way World Rugby schedule works is our obligation to go to Argentina, it's their home match and income.

"We will try and put Argentina in the position they were in as if they were playing at home and see if they are happy for us to host them.

"We would be happy to contribute to their costs. The fundamental thing is we desperately want to play two or three tests this July because we lost the New Zealand tour last year.

"World Rugby are supportive and it's about trying to come to an arrangement where everybody ends up they are comfortable with.

"It's similar to the RFU with USA and Canada who could be coming England and hosted at Twickenham."

Phillips outlined what would happen if Argentina declined the offer with potentially three matches for Pivac's side.

"Plan B is probably going to be around the possibility of USA, Canada and Japan who are in this country," said Phillips.

"There is also mix and match at play here. We are obliged to play two matches with Argentina so if they are inclined to come we could play one of the others as well.

"Wayne is keen to play test rugby again and if we are being positive we are hoping for significant Lions call-ups so it would be great to give other players the chance."