BBC Scotland to broadcast Scots' Tests in Argentina

SCOTLAND'S summer tour to Argentina will be broadcast by BBC Scotland this year after the broadcaster responded to complaints over its lack of rugby on TV and struck a deal for live coverage of next month's two Tests.

BBC Scotland turned down the opportunity to cover Scotland's tour to Argentina in 2008, and Scottish sports supporters who could not make the trip had to rely on temperamental internet pictures or radio and website updates to keep in touch with what turned out to be a historic first-ever Test victory in South America.

However, BBC Scotland have this time opted to pay a rights fee to take the pictures provided by a host broadcaster and screen the games from Tucuman and Mar Del Plata live on the evenings of Saturday, 12 and 19 June respectively on BBC Two Scotland.

Ewan Angus, head of sport at BBC Scotland, said: "We're delighted to be bringing all the action live for rugby fans back home in Scotland. It's a long haul to Argentina and I'm sure the supporters who can't make the trip will welcome the chance to see the team's performances in the summer Tests."

John Beattie will commentate on the Test matches with guest analysts, and the matches will also be live on BBC Radio Scotland and available across the UK by way of web streaming on bbc.co.uk/sportscotland and via the red button.

The SRU has fought a long battle with BBC Scotland to win improved coverage of the sport domestically and a deal has still to be agreed for this year's autumn Tests. BBC Scotland will not be taking pictures of Glasgow's Magners League semi-final with the Ospreys on Friday – the game is on BBC Wales, available in Scotland on Sky and freeview – but the union's director of communications and public affairs, Dominic McKay, welcomed BBC Scotland's new enthusiasm for the summer tour.

"We are delighted that Scotland supporters throughout the whole of the UK will be able to watch these important international fixtures," he said.

"With Scotland finishing the Six Nations campaign on a high, with a great win away against Ireland, the two Tests against Argentina will be hard-fought encounters particularly as both nations will meet again in the Rugby World Cup pool stages next year in New Zealand."

Head coach Andy Robinson will name his tour squad this afternoon.