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Cusworth 'coming home'

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When Les Cusworth left Leicester Tigers he could never have dreamt that he would lead an international team back to Welford Road. But that is exactly what he will do in February.

Tigers will host Argentina in an historic match on Sunday, February 11 (kick-off 3pm) as the South Americans step up their preparations for the Rugby World Cup in France. And Cusworth, a mercurial fly-half with Leicester and England and now the director of rugby for the Argentinean Rugby Union, is looking forward to his return 'home'.

"I live in Buenos Aries now but I still have a lot of friends in Leicester," said Cusworth. "And I am sure it will be a great occasion when Argentina come over there in February. The people here have been talking about it because it is a first - they tell me Argentina have played against the Midlands but never against the Tigers.

"Leicester is a great rugby area and I'm sure there will be a big crowd. It is not very often these days that you get the opportunity to see an international team in action on a club ground - and a good international team at that.

"There are a lot of quality players in the Argentina squad and we are very proud of what we have achieved in the last few years. Obviously the autumn international period was very good to us this year and we are the sixth-ranked team in world rugby.

"Given the resources and the time the coaches have with the players, that is excellent progress."

Cusworth says the Argentinean management already have a good idea of the basis of the squad they will bring over for the match against Tigers, with most of them playing professionally in France.

"It is a great opportunity to get the squad together again, which can be difficult because we are not involved in the Tri Nations or the Six Nations," he said.

Tickets are on general sale now. And with all junior tickets priced £5 you can turn it into a real family occasion too.

There has never been a better time to welcome one of world rugby's rising forces in action. And now that they are coming to Welford Road, there has never been a better opportunity to see what all the fuss is about.