Scotland will play two Tests in Argentina in June, the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) announced here Thursday.

Scotland will play their first Test against the Pumas, the world's third-ranked rugby union nation, on Saturday, June 7 in a provincial centre, with the second Test one week later, most likely in the capital, Buenos Aires.

The precise venues and kick-off times for both Tests have still to be confirmed, the SRU said.

Scotland, who last toured Argentina in 1994, lost 19-13 to the Pumas in the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup.

Argentina were beaten 37-13 by eventual champions South Africa in the semi-finals before defeating hosts France 34-10 in the third-place play-off.

Frank Hadden, Scotland's coach, said: "Argentina will be a physically demanding tour and we know from our most recent match against them in last October's Rugby World Cup quarter-final we will need to be at our very best."

A number of Scotland's current squad, including Jason White, Chris Paterson and Simon Taylor visited Argentina with Scotland's Under-19s squad at the 1997 IRB Junior World Championship.

Scotland, fresh from their 15-9 Calcutta Cup triumph at home to England, complete their 2008 Six Nations campaign against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

AFP