Uruguay opt for experience in APC

Uruguay has entered a 28-man ‘A’ squad with 880 senior caps worth of experience for the Americas Pacific Challenge. The hosts have opted to use the APC as part of their World Cup preparation plans with only four uncapped players selected.

Captain Juan Manuel Gaminara headlines a roster that includes record cap holder Diego Magno and first choice front row trio Mateo Sanguinetti, Germán Kessler, and Mario Sagario. The backs are equally well stocked with the likes of Joaquín Prada, Rodrigo Silva, and Gastón Mieres boasting World Cup experience.

Major League Rugby signings Ignacio Dotti, Juan Echeverría, Andrés Vilaseca, and Santiago Arata are also named. A number of others are expected to travel to Glendale for an MLR combine later this month, among them loose forwards Leandro Segredo and Manuel Diana.

The new players are versatile front rower Guillermo Pujadas, flankers Manuel Ardao and Santiago Civetta, and sevens call-up Joaquín Alonso. Ardao and Civetta were part of the Teritos squad in the World Rugby u20 Trophy last month.

Civetta is a late addition to the squad along with outside back Federico Favaro. They replace loosehead prop Joaquín Jaunsolo and midfielder Agustín Della Corte respectively. It leaves the team with only one specialist hooker and two midfielders. Pujadas and Echeverría are emergency hooker options while scrumhalf Tomás Inciarte has been playing at outside center during the summer.

Uruguay will play against Canada, the USA, and Samoa in the Senior ‘A’ competition that begins this weekend. All matches will be played at the newly renovated Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo. A detailed squad list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Juan Echeverría (Old Christians), Guillermo Pujadas (Champagnat), Juan Rombys (Trebol), Mario Sagario (Carrasco Polo), Mateo Sanguinetti (Los Cuervos), Germán Kessler (Los Cuervos), Diego Ayala (MVCC), Ignacio Dotti (Los Cuervos), Diego Magno (MVCC), Manuel Ardao (Old Christians), Santiago Civetta (Old Boys), Manuel Diana (Old Christians), Juan Manuel Gaminara (Old Boys), Alejandro Nieto (Champagnat), Juan Diego Ormaechea (Carrasco Polo), Leandro Segredo (Old Christians)

BACKS
Santiago Arata (Old Christians), Tomás Inciarte (Old Christians), Andrés De León (Old Christians), Rodrigo Silva (Carrasco Polo), Joaquín Prada (Los Cuervos), Andrés Vilaseca (Old Boys), Joaquín Alonso (Old Boys), Federico Favaro (Old Christians), Ignacio García (PSG), Leandro Leivas (Old Christians), Manuel Blengio (Old Christians), Gastón Mieres (Lobos)