Argentinean captain Agustin Pichot on Monday welcomed the prospect of a potential two-Test series against England this summer.

England, who last toured Argentina in 1997, look set to tackle the Pumas in July. It is understood that Test matches could take place on July 6 and 13, with a midweek game against Argentina A also scheduled.

England's plans for a South Sea Islands tour have hit the rocks, primarily due to fixture clashes in both hemispheres.

The English domestic season doesn't finish until June 8, while Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, who will be engaged in 2003 World Cup qualifiers during early June, then hope to combine under a Pacific Barbarians banner for games against New Zealand and South Africa.

"We don't have many home internationals this year. There is just one against France, plus a possible game against Australia, so these two additional Tests would be well received," said Bristol scrumhalf Pichot (pictured).

"The economic situation in Argentina is still not very good, so income from the Rugby Football Union would be most welcomed, as it is filtered through to the grass roots clubs.

"It is just sad that England may rest some of their key players from the tour, but no matter who they send out to Argentina, then I will still be looking forward to playing against them in Buenos Aires."

England boss Clive Woodward intends giving a summer off to Lions Test players such as Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson, Neil Back and Richard Hill, but will still take a strong squad - a fit-again Lawrence Dallaglio included - wherever his reigning Six Nations champions end up.

And if Argentina does prove their final destination, then England can expect a testing few weeks. They have played the Pumas on 10 occasions, winning seven times and drawing once, but both defeats were on Argentine soil in 1990 (15-13) and 1997 (33-13).

Phil de Glanville captained that last England trip to South America, when England were minus several top stars because of the Lions tour in South Africa