Uruguay to play 9 Further Test Matches in 2016

Uruguay is to play 9 Further Test Matches in 2016, it has been confirmed by Ignacio Chans writing for Referi. Los Teros have already played four test matches for three wins, defeating Brazil 22-29, Chile 23-20 and the USA 29-25 in the Americas Rugby Championship.

South American A Championship 
First up for Uruguay will be the 2016 South American A Championship. The four team tournament will see Uruguay playing Brazil, Chile and Paraguay once each with the top two qualifying for the 2017 Sudamérica Rugby Cup. The competition has replaced the former CONSUR Cup due to the rebranding of the Latin American governing body.

The South American A Championship will take place in April and May. With all matches being played on weekends players will be fresh to compete in multiple matches without suffering from a short turn-around.

Sudamérica Rugby Cup
The Sudamérica Rugby Cup will immediately follow the South American A Championship. Uruguay’s home fixture against Chile in the South American A Championship will double as a Sudamérica Rugby Cup fixture. Los Teros will then play host to Argentina. As is the case with the South American A Championship both matches are to be capped internationals with World Rankings up for grabs.

Home Friendlies
Fiji’s ‘A’ side, the Fiji Warriors will be returning to Uruguay this year. As was the case in 2015 the tour will be taking place in May. With it not being Fiji’s top side World Rankings are not to be on the line. The two match series will see matches being played on May 21 and 28.

For both Uruguay and Fiji the fixtures are to serve as preparation for the June internationals. Both countries are to up up against Rugby World Cup regulars in June with Fiji hosting Georgia and Uruguay playing three matches in Europe.

June Internationals
Two weeks after the second match against the Fiji Warriors Uruguay will play another non-capped international. Los Teros will play Italy’s ‘A’ side, Italy Emergenti on June 11 in the opening round of the 2016 World Rugby Nations Cup in Romania.

The tournament will also include either Russia or Spain and the host nation of Romania. The results of the ongoing European Nations Cup (ENC) will confirm whether it is to be Russia or Spain participating. The team that finishes third will earn the right to compete in the World Rugby organized competition.

The URU is pushing for the 2017 World Rugby Nations Cup to be played in Montevideo. If so it would be the first time the competition has been played outside of Europe and only the second time in which Romania missed out on hosting. Portugal hosted the inaugural tournament in 2006. 2016 will be the tenth consecutive tournament in Romania.

November Internationals
History will be made in November when, for the first time, Uruguay has the opportunity to travel to Europe to partake in a three-match international tour. Los Teros will face Germany, Romania and Tonga. Yet to be determined is the order of matches but confirmed is that the dates are to be November 12, 19 and 26.

All three matches in November are to be capped internationals, thereby having World Rankings up for grabs. Currently Uruguay is ranked between Romania and Germany in World Rankings while Tonga is notably stronger, sitting in 12th position in the world. The match against Tonga will be played at a yet to be confirmed neutral venue in Europe.

Combined with the Americas Rugby Championship matches Uruguay will play a total of 13 test matches in 2016. The number is comparable to that of leading Tier 1 unions and is notably larger than that of established Tier 2 unions including Fiji and the USA.

Former Los Teros Head Coach and new Director of the High Performance Center, Pablo Lemoine pointed out that “it is an enormous challenge, possibly the toughest November tour that we have ever had. If one does not play against the top Tier 2 sides it is difficult to test ones growth. When you play in lower countries you can never express what you desire“.

Date	Match	Tournament	Venue
April 23	Brazil vs Uruguay	South American A Championship	Away
April 30	Paraguay vs Uruguay	South American A Championship	Away
May 07	Uruguay vs Chile	Sudamérica Rugby Cup	Home
May 14	Uruguay vs Argentina	Sudamérica Rugby Cup	Home
May 21	Uruguay vs Fiji Warriors	Friendly (Uncapped)	Home
May 28	Uruguay vs Fiji Warriors	Friendly (Uncapped)	Home
June 11	Italy Emergenti vs Uruguay	World Rugby Nations Cup	Neutral
June 16	Romania vs Uruguay	World Rugby Nations Cup	Away
June 29	Spain or Russia vs Uruguay	World Rugby Nations Cup	Neutral
November 12	Germany, Tonga or Romania	November International	Away
November 19	Germany, Tonga or Romania	November International	Away
November 26	Germany, Tonga or Romania	November International	Away