Agustín Ormaechea, following in his father’s footsteps

Uruguayan scrumhalf, Agustín Ormaechea, is to, like his father, play in a Rugby World Cup and to also do so by playing in the U.K. His father, Diego, was the oldest player in Rugby World Cup 1999 aged 40.

In that tournament Uruguay played against Scotland, South Africa and Spain with the pool being entirely played in Scotland. The upcoming Rugby World Cup is therefore to be Uruguay’s first appearance in Wales, the official host nation of the World Cup in 1999. Uruguay will play in Cardiff before crossing into England to play matches in Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Manchester.

Upon retirement after the 1999 World Cup Diego Ormeaechea had been capped 73 times by his country and had scored an impressive 16 tries over a twenty-year period. He left his mark on the tournament in 1999 by scoring against Spain in what was a winning effort in Uruguay’s World Cup debut.

He then hung up his boots and became a coach, taking Los Teros to Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia where the South Americans faced England, Georgia, Samoa and South Africa. Like in 1999, Los Teros returned home with a win.

Twelve years on his son, Agustín has the unenviable assignment of playing in the most difficult pool in the history of the Rugby World Cup. Uruguay will join both hosts, England and Wales, in addition to Australia and Fiji. Capped 14 times Agustín Ormaechea is one of Uruguay’s leading players and is established as one of the leading scrumhalves in the Pro d2.

His skills will be required over the coming weeks. Uruguay will take-on Wales this coming Sunday with Ormaechea an expected starter.