With no top-flight league or cup action scheduled in England, Ireland or France on the weekend of February 11, the South Americans are using the trip to get the bulk of their Rugby World Cup squad together.
Argentina enter 2007 as the sixth-ranked nation in world rugby after an impressive autumn series which included an historic first-ever win over England at Twickenham, a victory over Italy and defeat by just a single point to France.
The trip here in February allows their management team to spend more time with players who are based throughout Europe - the squad contains 13 who play their club rugby in France, six from England and one each from Ireland and Italy - as well as six players who are still based at home. The home contingent is headed by San Isidro captain and full-back Federico Serra who scored 23 points in a 36-7 win over Tala of Cordoba which clinched the national title just last month.
The release of the France-based players means Pumas skipper Agustin Pichot and his Stade Francais clubmates Ignacio Corleto and Juan Martin Hernandez are all available.
Fly-half Felipe Contepomi, who has just agreed a new two-year contract with Leinster, is also selected and is one of the eight men in the squad who started that win over England. Leicester Tigers prop Marcos Ayerza, who also played in that game, will join up with his national colleagues when they arrive in England.
Tickets for the Tigers v Argentina match at Welford Road on Sunday, February 11 (kick-off 3pm) are on general sale now. All junior tickets are priced just £5. Contact the Tigers ticket office on 08701 28 34 30 or book online at www.leicestertigers.com
Argentina touring squad:
Patricio Albacete (Toulouse), Rimas Alvarez (Perpignan), Marcos Ayerza (Leicester Tigers), Lucas Borges (Stade Français), Marcelo Bosch (Biarritz), Manuel Carizza (Biarritz), Felipe Contepomi (Leinster), Ignacio Corleto (Stade Français), Matías Cortese (Northampton Saints), Agustín Creevy (San Luis), Tomas De Vedia (Saracens), Alberto Durand Martín (Montpellier), Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe (Sale Sharks), Martin Gaitan (Biarritz), Pablo Gambarini (CASI), Juan Francisco Gomez (Los Matreros), Santiago Gonzalez Bonorino (Capitolina), Juan Martín Hernández (Stade Français), Juan Manuel Leguizamon (London Irish), Ostiglia Lucas (Agen), Augusto Petrilli (Bourgoin), Agustin Pichot (Stade Français), Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Français), Hernan Senillosa (Hindu), Federico Serra (San Isidro), Gonzalo Pedro Tiesi (London Irish), Nicolas Vergallo (Jockey Club).
