BaaBaas to square off with Pumas

The Barbarians will round off their 125th anniversary year by tackling Argentina at Twickenham in November 2015, organisers announced on Tuesday.

After a chastening 2013, the invitational side proved themselves credible opponents for the world's elite teams this year, going down 49-39 to a youthful England team in June and narrowly losing 40-36 to Australia last month.

They are scheduled to play Ireland in Limerick on May 28 and will play England three days later before finishing the year against Argentina.

"Argentina have got a proud record to maintain and I am sure they will make a significant contribution at next year's World Cup," said Barbarians president Micky Steele-Bodger.

"We have strong links with rugby in Argentina. Many of their players have represented the club with distinction and playing the Pumas at Twickenham will be a splendid occasion."

Argentina will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of their first overseas tour in 2015.

Argentina Rugby Union president Carlos Araujo said: "We are going into a new, exciting phase of our history and to finish such a year at Twickenham with a game against the iconic Barbarians will be a huge honour and a prestigious occasion for Argentinian rugby."

AFP