Argentina Rugby coach Phelan resigns before Autumn Internationals

Santiago Phelan has resigned as Argentina's coach before a European tour that includes Tests against England, Wales and Italy in November, the Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) said on Monday.

The 39-year-old, who guided the Pumas to the 2011 World Cup quarter-finals after succeeding Marcello Loffreda, had been widely expected to step down when his contract ended in December.

Phelan, who is due to give a press conference on Tuesday, has just come off the Rugby Championship tournament where the Pumas lost all six of their games to the southern hemisphere heavyweights New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in what was their second season of participation.

He enjoyed success as a player, being capped 44 times at flanker by his country and played all his club rugby for Club Athletico San Isidro.

"Santiago Phelan will not continue his role as head coach of Los Pumas after six years," an Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) statement read.

Argentina will face England at Twickenham on 9 November, Wales at the Millennium Stadium a week later and Italy in Rome on 23 November.


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