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HPA announce March Test Match for English 20-goal team in Chile

test_match_chile_vs_england.jpgIt's unclear whether this will replace the frequently contested Test Match against New Zealand in February, which coincides with the New Zealand Open

English players will be on tenterhooks this weekend after confirmation by the HPA that England will play Chile in March in an international Test Match.

 A young 18-20 goal England side will travel to South America to play an equally-matched Chilean side.
Chile invited the HPA to send a team to play their young side in the spring, hence the lower handicap. It is not yet known who will form either side.
It is also unclear whether this Test Match will replace the frequently played spring Test Match between New Zealand and England.

Chile met England at 14-goal level during the group stages of the recent FIP World Cup in Argentina. On that occasion England came out on top 13-7.

The last time the two sides met in a fully-fledged Test Match was in 2007 when they played for the Coronation Cup. A 25-goal Chile side beat a 26-goal England side 9-8 in a thrilling match at Guards, played in memory of Gabriel Donoso who died the previous winter.

Photo: Nacho Gonzalez in action in England's last Test Match, on Cartier International Day this summer. England won that game, 8-6. By James Mullan