Argentina players Patricio Albacete and Marcelo Loffreda last month launched the project working with four clubs in Buenos Aires — Hurling, Retiro, Curupayti and Virreyes — to reach local schools and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Another Pumas player, Juan ‘Chipi’ Figallo, champions the project in Salta, where Atlas is working with 13 local communities.

The Barbarians trustees include some of rugby’s foremost former players and administrators: Micky Steele-Bodger, John Spencer, Bill Beaumont, Gerald Davies and Gareth Hastings.

Barbarian FC Chairman Spencer said: “We’ve seen at first hand the work the Atlas Foundation carries out overseas in helping children in some of the world’s poorest communities.

“The Atlas programmes engage and develop children, helping them succeed in education, in gaining employment and in lifting them out of poverty. We’re delighted to be able to make a grant to the Foundation, particularly one that will make a positive impact in Argentina."

Atlas Foundation CEO Sally Pettipher said: “We’re hugely grateful to the Barbarians Trust. This grant will allow us to work with eight schools — that’s 800 kids — for two years. Taking on the values of the game and access to the Rugby Family gives them a genuine lift up in life.”