Uruguay experiment in South American Championship opener

Los Teros Head Coach Esteban Meneses has named an experimental lineup to take on Brazil in the opening round fixture of the 2016 South American A Championship.

Meneses is without his European-based players and has opted for a balance of youth and experience to take on the ever-improving Tupis. While not at full strength there are regular names starting in the front row – Mateo Sanguinetti, Carlos Arboleya, and German Kessler. The latter starts in the unusual position of prop, with all of his previous caps coming at hooker.

EDIT: Kessler was incorrectly listed at prop in the Uruguayan press release. He will play hooker.

They are to be joined by Diego Ayala and Diego Magno in the second row. Alejando Nieto will captain the side from the back of the scrum. He is to be joined by Gonzalo Campomar and Juan Diego Ormaechea in a new look loose forward combination.

In the backs Guillermo Lijtenstein and Martín Secco will combine in a fresh halves combination. They will also have company in the form of other inexperienced backs, the exception being center Joaquín Prada. Federico Favaro, normally a wing, has been selected out of position at fullback

The increasing profile of rugby in Brazil sees the match being staged at Allianza Paruqe in São Paulo. The venue is the home ground of São Paulo soccer club Palmeiras and is among the best facilities in the country.

Saturday’s international will be broadcast live in both Brazil and Uruguay. RedeTV will broadcast the match on free-to-air television in Brazil while the match will be televised by DIRECTV in Uruguay. Kick-Off for the fixture is scheduled for 4:30pm.

URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti 2 German Kessler 3 Carlos Arboleya 4 Diego Ayala 5 Diego Magno 6 Gonzalo Campomar 7 Juan Diego Ormaechea 8 Alejandro Nieto (capt.) 9 Guillermo Lijtenstein 10 Martín Secco 11 Nicolás Freitas 12 Facundo Klappenbach 13 Joaquín Prada 14 Mauro Daverio 15 Federico Favaro

16 Facundo Gattas 17 Rafael Mones 18 Ignacio Secco 19 Ignacio Dotti 20 Gonzalo Soto 21 Gastón Nicolás 22 Mateo Tortorella 23 Santiago Martínez