PIETER DE VILLIERS detects an extra edge around the Scotland camp as they gear up for their first match of the inaugural Nations Championship away to Argentina.

The Scots face a formidable start to the new biennial tournament pitting southern hemisphere sides against their northern hemisphere counterparts as they meet the Pumas in Corboba on Saturday followed by South Africa in Pretoria a week later.

At a time when relatively low-key summer tours usually take place, Scotland scrum coach De Villiers is relishing the extra competitive element to the upcoming fixtures.

“It’s a different kind of competition, a different kind of tour with this new Nations Cup arriving, immediately going into a game against number five [in the world],” he said. “Prepping after that for a game against number one, both in their own countries.

“Yes, definitely an edge, which I think everyone is enjoying, everyone is looking forward to.

“We hope for a good prep this week and setting ourselves up for a strong game on Saturday and then into the rest of the games.

“It’s something new, a bit of a change over two campaigns as well, meaning we’ll have to start strong and build into something strong over this month, but then obviously coming into November as well. I think it’s exciting and we’re all looking forward to it.”

Following a training camp in Spain last week, Scotland arrived in Argentina at the weekend with a fully fit squad as they prepare to face the Pumas for the first time since losing 33-24 at Murrayfield last November after squandering a 21-0 lead.

“It was interesting with the heat as well,” De Villiers said of their preparation in Madrid. “We made the best of that and had to train early in the morning just to not be in the middle of the day on the pitch.

“To have the extra time and get some extra sessions with the lads was definitely good in terms of cohesion.

“And then we had the hit-out with Spain on Thursday, which was also of huge aid for us, so coming into this week, we feel that we’ve got ahead of the curve a bit in terms of prep work and especially the off-field stuff as well.

“We were able to spend some time on our systems and structures and we’re now looking forward to a good week in Cordoba.

“Argentina is a country that loves rugby. It’s a passionate country behind the players. There was so much we could take from that Argentina game in November in terms of good, but then also in terms of growth.

“We’re looking forward to a rematch with Argentina, having, I think, improved on the stuff we needed to improve on.”