Uruguay name young squad for South American Championship

Esteban Meneses has selected a youthful Uruguay squad for the upcoming South American Championship to be hosted in Montevideo. Included are just 12 names who featured at Rugby World Cup 2019. The 30-man squad contains 14 players who have yet to make their test debut, with an average age of just 23.

Andrés Vilaseca will captain the side. He is one of 17 professional players included who are either contracted to Peñarol or from Major League Rugby sides. Record cap-holder Diego Magno continues with further experience from the likes of Manuel Diana, Rodrigo Silva, Nicolás Freitas, and Federico Favaro.

There is a recall for flanker Leandro Segredo who was the final cut ahead of the World Cup. He is also returning from a serious knee injury suffered in December. Second row Lorenzo Surraco and scrumhalf Guillermo Lijtenstein return after a three-year absence from test rugby. Lijtenstein has been captaining the Teros Sevens side in the meantime.

Newcomers who have yet to feature in either senior squads or Uruguay XV selections include hooker Agustín Conserva, props Mateo Perillo and Nahuel Sánchez , second row Lucas Bianchi, flanker Federico Dibueno, and midfielder Juan Manuel Alonso. All graduate directly from the Teritos u20 program.

Los Teros will open their tournament against Brazil on October 17, followed by Chile on October 21 and finally the Argentina XV on October 25. All matches will be streamed live by Sudamérica Rugby.

FORWARDS
Diego Arbelo (MVCC / Peñarol), Facundo Gattas (Hindú, AR), Ignacio Péculo (Old Christians / Peñarol), Mateo Perillo (Seminario), Ezequiel Ramos (Trébol / Peñarol), Nahuel Sánchez (Círculo), Agustín Conserva (Los Cuervos), Guillermo Pujadas (Champagnat / Peñarol), Felipe Aliaga (Los Ceibos), Lucas Bianchi (Los Cuervos), Diego Magno (Houston SaberCats, US), Lorenzo Surraco (Old Christians), Manuel Diana (Toronto Arrows, CA), Santiago Civetta (Old Boys / Peñarol), Federico Dibueno (Los Cuervos), Eric Dosantos (Lobos), Juanjuan Garese (Carrasco Polo / Peñarol), Leandro Segredo (Old Christians / Peñarol)

BACKS
Guillermo Lijtenstein (Trébol), Ignacio Rodríguez (Old Boys), Felipe Etcheverry (Carrasco Polo / Peñarol), Rodrigo Silva (Carrasco Polo), Juan Manuel Alonso (MVCC), Felipe Arcos Pérez (Old Boys), Agustin Della Corte (Trébol / Peñarol), Andrés Vilaseca (Old Boys / Peñarol), Baltazar Amaya (Old Boys / Peñarol), Federico Favaro (Old Christians / Peñarol), Nicolás Freitas (Carrasco Polo / Peñarol), José Iruleguy (Old Boys / Peñarol)