Chile Confirm 23 Players to Face Uruguay XV

Chilean Head Coach Mark Cross has confirmed his 23 players to Face the Uruguay XV on Saturday. Los Cóndores will take-on the Uruguayans in Montevideo in a second round match in the inaugural Sudamericano 6 Naciones A.

Chile’s roster sees changes. The total number of caps against Brazil was 283 while the number against the Uruguay XV will be 271. With it being the Uruguay XV and not Los Teros caps will not be allocated this weekend.

There are, nonetheless, players set to play for Los Cóndores for the first time. Among them is Old Boys center Vicente Ayarza. He had an impressive club season in 2017 and merits his place in the side. Cross has also selected u20 players Salvador Lues, Clemente Saavedra, and Nicolás Steinsapir, all of whom are uncapped.

Changes see Los Cóndores 7’s players left out. This means that Ignacio Silva, Lucas Westcott, Rodrigo Fernández and Pedro Pablo Verschae all return to focus on he abbreviated form of the game ahead of the World Cup in San Francisco.

Also not facing the Uruguay XV will be Chile’s stand-out performer from 2017 Anton Petrowitsch. He was forced off injured at half time against Brazil. Chile’s depth will be tested with both Tomás Dussaillant, and Beltrán Vergara also missing.

Injuries see opportunities for others. Chile welcomes back Domingo Saavedra, Santiago Videla, and former captain Benjamín Soto.

Saturday’s match will be the final fixture at the Estadio Charrúa before it is closed for development. It is to be upgraded, giving Uruguayan rugby a superior venue for 2019 and beyond. Kick-pff on Saturday is scheduled for 3pm.

CHILE
Forwards: Oliver Thompson, Sebastián Otero, José Tomás Munita, Lucas Bordigoni, Rodrigo Moya, Salvador Lues, Pablo Huete, Mario Mayol, Alfonso Escobar, Javier Richard, Clemente Saavedra, Martín Sigren, Benjamín Soto

Backs: Domingo Saavedra, Juan Pablo Perrotta, Santiago Videla, Francisco de la Fuente,  José Ignacio Larenas, Vicente Ayarza, Italo Zunino, Lucca Avelli, Nicolás Steinsapir, Tomás Ianiszewski