Pampas will join eight other sides in the new-look format which will see matches due to take place in Canberra, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Sydney from February 21 to March 23.

Running since 2006, the Pacific Rugby Cup aims to bridge the gap between domestic and international rugby for the best locally-based players from the participating Unions.

The Argentinean side - made up of the best players from the country's domestic league - will be competing against development squads from Super Rugby franchises the Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, New South Wales Waratahs and the Western Force.

Samoa A, Tonga A, Junior Japan and the Fiji Warriors complete the line-up of teams.

Originally launched as a development tournament for Oceania sides, the competition has been dominated by sides from the Pacific Islands with the first three winners coming from Samoa, while the Fiji Warriors have won the event every year since 2009.

Players from the NSW Waratahs and reigning Pacific Rugby Cup champions Fiji Warriors will be competing in Australia next month ©Getty Images


























"With Rugby World Cup 2015 on the horizon, exposure to this high performance level of competition is invaluable for the Pacific Island Unions, Japan and Argentina," said IRB head of competitions and performance Mark Egan.

"We are extremely grateful to the ARU (Australian Rugby Union) for their cooperation and support in hosting the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup which is an important element of the IRB's overall strategic investment competitions portfolio."

The tournament is due to kick-off on February 21 in Perth with a match between the Western Force and Queensland Reds with the final scheduled for Sydney on March 23.

For a complete competition schedule click here.

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