Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Uruguay have received a major boost ahead of the Americas 2 World Cup Qualifying series against Canada with the confirmation that Rodrigo Capó Ortega will join the team ahead of the first match between the two at BC Place in Vancouver on January 27. The 120kg (265lbs) second row has received clearance from his club side Castres Olympique and will depart France on January 22 to take part in the two-match series.
Regarded as one of Uruguay’s greatest ever players, Capó Ortega has not featured for Los Teros since helping them defeat Russia in the 2014 Repechage series that saw them qualify for the 2015 World Cup. He would not ultimately take part in the tournament citing personal reasons, but was part of the World Cup side in 2003.
Having recently celebrated his 37th birthday Capó Ortega boasts enormous experience at the highest levels of professional rugby. Despite making his debut as a 19-year-old in 2000 he has won just 39 caps for his country, instead focusing on his club career in France where he has more than 300 appearances for Castres, joining the Top 14 club in 2002.
Capó Ortega strengthens a formidable Uruguayan scrum that already boasts former Munster prop Mario Sagario and France-based professionals Manuel Leindekar and Franco Lamanna. Other key players arriving from France are World Cup halfback duo Agustín Ormaechea and Felipe Berchesi.
