How rugby union is 'booming' in football-mad Argentina

An inspired Lionel Messi was instrumental in in defeating England and help Argentina reach back-to-back World Cup finals.

The Pumas, who host England this week, have also delivered regularly at Rugby World Cups, reaching three semi-finals over the past five tournaments.

Head coach Felipe Contepomi played in the 2007 World Cup when Argentina reached the final four for the first time – a run that included wins over France, Ireland and Scotland.

That success, followed by semi-final appearances in 2015 and 2023, helped increase rugby's popularity in a country dominated by football and Messi mania.

"Amateur rugby here in Argentina is booming," Contepomi told BBC Sport.

"It's very community-based rugby and the clubs are growing. We have more and more people every year.

"It is not comparable with football because I always say rugby is a sport, football is a religion for an Argentinian.

"The dimension is completely different. Even myself, I live for rugby, but football is still in my skin."

Historically, most of Argentina's internationals have come through private schools in the country's rugby heartlands.

Buenos Aires, where Contepomi and captain Julian Montoya were born, remains the biggest rugby hub, while Tucuman - not far from Saturday's venue in Santiago del Estero – is the only place where, according to Contepomi, "rugby is bigger than football".

"The good thing is that rugby started in Argentina among the middle class and upper middle class, but now it's played in every social class," said the former Leinster fly-half.

"It is played in every corner of the country, not only in Buenos Aires but in every province."

Argentina's World Cup success is even more remarkable given the country has no professional club team.

The Jaguares competed in Super Rugby between 2016 and 2020 before folding because of financial problems.

Since 2019, however, the semi-professional Super Rugby Americas has provided a pathway for emerging talent.

One recent success story is Leicester Tigers back-row Joaquin Moro, who joined from Pampas XV and started last season's Prem semi-final in his debut campaign.

"Super Rugby Americas is growing every year and I think that's a good pathway for developing professional habits and preparing players," Contepomi said.

"In the last two years I think we've had around 20 players come through those franchises and go on to play for the Pumas."

"Excellence, consistency and resilience." Those were the words Contepomi used to describe how Messi's greatness as an athlete motivates his side.

The key word being consistency.

Argentina are ranked seventh in the world and were outclassed by Scotland in their opening Nations Championship fixture, despite beating them in November.

A much-improved performance against Wales now tees up their final game of this block against Steve Borthwick's England.

The Pumas, who beat New Zealand and Australia in last year's Rugby Championship, only had three training sessions together before their defeat by Scotland because of the logistical challenges of having the majority of their squad playing across both hemispheres.

"Those are our challenges and that's our reality," the Argentina head coach added.

"We don't use it as an excuse. It's simply our reality and we have to make the best of it.

"We would love to be consistently in the world's top four, and that's what we're working towards through our behaviours, our habits and the way we come together as a team.

"As you said, we've reached the semi-finals at the last few World Cups. But to truly be a top-four team, you need to prove it every year by finishing the year in the top four of the world rankings."

Borthwick's side, without their British and Irish Lions, won twice in Argentina last summer to seal a series victory, extending their winning run over the Pumas to five matches.

Their record - one win in the past 16 meetings with England - needs to improve if they want to become a regular top-four side.

They welcome England to Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, where they have played twice at the 30,000-capacity stadium, which opened in 2021, and won both matches, against Scotland and South Africa.

"It's very close to Tucuman, which is a huge rugby province. I'd expect a proper rugby crowd," the 48-year-old added.

"Hopefully, if we give them a reason to shout and sing, Argentinians are Latin people - we make noise and we love supporting our teams. Hopefully it'll be a noisy crowd."

The last meeting between the teams, in November, ended in a heated exchange, with Contepomi calling England flanker Tom Curry, who is on the bench for Saturday's game, a "bully" who swore at him and pushed him in the tunnel at Allianz Stadium.

The former 87-cap fly-half described the game as one of the "big rivalries" for his side, but not because of any off-field altercations.

"Tom Curry is a world-class player. That's the only thing I can say," Contepomi added.

"If I said something that hurt or offended him, I apologise publicly. But I have nothing against him.

"There was an incident in the heat of the moment, but I don't take it personally and I don't want to make anything personal with Tom because I'm sure he's a great lad as well."

Given a bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup is being pressed forward by Argentina, the nation's love for the sport could explode.

More wins over England will also help.