England to face Argentina in June's South America tour

England will kick off their summer tour against a combined South America team in Uruguay on 2 June before heading to Argentina for a two-Test series.

Stuart Lancaster's men, who arrive on 29 May, will face the Consur XV in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo.

They will then head to Argentina to tackle the Pumas, with the first Test in Salta on 8 June and the second in Buenos Aires on 15 June.

England will announce their squad for the tour in early May.

England, who will be without their British & Irish Lions contingent, will play the Barbarians at Twickenham on 26 May before flying across the Atlantic for what will be their first two-Test series against the Pumas in Argentina since 1997.

Head coach Lancaster said: "Argentina is a formidable rugby nation and we're looking forward to facing the Pumas in back-to-back Tests, which a young and developing side will need to be at its very best to win.

"Together with matches against the Barbarians at Twickenham and the Consur team in Uruguay, the summer programme gives this group a real opportunity to measure their progress and continue to learn what they need to succeed at the highest level."

The sides last met in South America in June 2009, when current England captain Chris Robshaw won his first cap in a 24-22 defeat at the hands of the Pumas.

With Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell on Lions duty, Exeter's Rob Baxter and Saracens' Paul Gustard have temporarily joined the coaching team as forwards and defence coach respectively.

Consur is the governing body for rugby union within South America and includes the likes of Chile and Brazil, as well as Argentina and Uruguay.