photo credit: Edgar Su / Reuters

World Cup Watch – Uruguay – December 2020

The World Cup Watch series identifies the players most likely to represent their respective countries at the next RWC. The current edition analysis the situation following the completion of international duty in 2020.

Following a successful campaign in RWC 2019, Head Coach Esteban Meneses re-signed as Head Coach. The script for the prior cycle has been retained. Meneses has, nonetheless, already looked to the future. He fielded a hybrid team of RWC 2019 players and new blood against Spain in November.

Meneses’ team also has the advantage of age. N8 Alejandro Nieto is the oldest player from the RWC 2019 roster. He is now aged 32. The players that faced Spain reflect the youth of the team and the lack of transition required from Meneses’ team from one RWC to the next.

Uruguay did not qualify directly for RWC 2019. Los Teros will compete in qualifiers in 2021. Click here for further information.

 

URUGUAY

# NAME CLUB POS CAPS

PROJECTED FIRST CHOICE

1 Mateo Sanguinetti Massy (FR) LH 66
2 Germán Kessler Charente (FR) HK 53
3 Diego Arbelo MVCC / Peñarol TH 11
4 Ignacio Dotti NOLA Gold (US) LK 50
5 Manuel Leindekar Oyonnax (FR) LK 18
6 Manuel Ardao Old Christians / Peñarol FL 8
7 Santiago Civetta Old Boys / Peñarol FL 10
8 Manuel Diana Toronto Arrows (CA) N8 27
9 Santiago Arata Castres (FR) SH 43
10 Felipe Berchesi Dax (FR) FH 36
11 José Iruleguy Old Boys / Peñarol WI 1
12 Andrés Vilaseca Old Boys / Peñarol CE 61
13 Nicolás Freitas Carrasco Polo / Peñarol CE 40
14 Baltazar Amaya Old Boys / Peñarol WI
15 Felipe Etcheverry Carrasco Polo / Peñarol FH / FB 6

Los Teros had two blows in 2020. First, flanker and captain Juan Manuel Gaminara retired with Andrés Vilaseca named as the new captain. Second, starting outside center Juan Manuel Cat stepped away from the high performance program. Both players held down starting positions in RWC 2019.

Cat also happens to be a natural fly half and had been the go-to-player when Felipe Berchesi was unavailable. Cat intends on still playing test rugby, though others will be given preference.

Nicolás Freitas is projected to replace Cat join Vilaseca in the mid-field. This represents a positional move from wing to outside center. The halves are unchanged; ARN projects Santiago Arata and Felipe Berchesi to again be the 9 and 10.

Youth coming through the system is projected to be starting in the back-three ahead of France 2023. Gastón Mieres, Leandro Leivas, and Rodrigo Silva will thereby have competition. Balatzar Amaya and José Iruleguy both demonstrated potential in 2020. Felipe Etcheverry is presently projected to be the starting fullback.

The projected starting forwards all played at RWC 2019. Manuel Ardao takes the spot of Gaminara to join Santiago Civetta and Manuel Diana in the back-row. Ignacio Dotti and Manuel Leindekar are projected to lock the scrum with Mateo Sanguinetti, Germán Kessler, and Diego Arbelo starting up front.

 

PROJECTED REPLACEMENTS

16 Guillermo Pujadas Champagnat / Peñarol HK 14
17 Joaquín Jaunsolo Los Cuervos / Peñarol LH 2
18 Juan Echeverría Old Christians TH 54
19 Franco Lamanna Mogliano (IT) LK 46
20 Maxime Sonneveld Old Boys / Peñarol FL
21 Agustín Ormaechea Nice (FR) SH 49
22 Rodrigo Silva Carrasco Polo FH / WI 63
23 Gastón Mieres Toronto Arrows (CA) FB 72

All but one of the projected replacements went to Japan 2019. Five of them also played at RWC 2015. Guillermo Pujadas is slightly ahead of Facundo Gattas as the replacement hooker. Joaquín Jaunsolo and Joaquín Jaunsolo are positioned as the replacement props.

Franco Lamanna has plenty of test experience at both flanker and lock. It is the latter in which Uruguay will look to him should Uruguay qualify for a third consecutive RWC campaign. Maxime Sonneveld is the remaining replacement forward. He is a bright prospect; a player who could very easily be starting with other Ardao or Civetta.

The three replacement backs offer vast experience; they bring years of professional rugby. This will aid in player management, including during the 2021 RWC Qualifiers.

 

PROJECTED TRAVELING REPLACEMENTS

24 Facundo Gattas Hindú (AR) HK 34
25 Ignacio Péculo Old Christians / Peñarol LH/TH
26 Diego Magno Houston SaberCats (US) LK 92
27 Leandro Segredo Old Christians / Peñarol FL 11
28 Alejandro Nieto Champagnat / Peñarol N8 71
29 Tomás Inciarte Old Christians / Peñarol SH / CE 17
30 Alfonso Costa Carrasco Polo CE
31 Leandro Leivas Toronto Arrows (CA) WI 63

There is further experience among the projected traveling replacements. First, Diego Magno has more caps than any other player ever for a country from the Americas. Second, Leandro Leivas and Alejandro Nieto joined Magno in RWC 2015. Third, Facundo Gattas and Tomás Inciarte joined the trio in competing at RWC 2019.

Leandro Segredo was unlucky to miss out on selection for Japan 2019. He is projected to make the roster for France 2023. The two remaining names are currently uncapped. Based on performances at the junior level and in non-capped matches, Ignacio Péculo and Alfonso Costa are players projected to make the roster.

 

PROJECTED NON-TRAVELING REPLACEMENTS

32 Agustín Conserva Los Cuervos HK
33 Ezequiel Ramos Trébol LH
34 Nahuel Sánchez Círculo TH
35 Juan Manuel Rodríguez Valpolicella (IT) LO 2
36 Juanjuan Garese Carrasco Polo / Peñarol FL 2
37 Eric Dosantos Lobos FL 2
38 Ignacio Rodríguez Old Boys SH 2
39 Juan Manuel Cat Old Boys FH / CE 34
40 Felipe Arcos Pérez Old Boys CE
41 Agustín Della Corte Trébol / Peñarol CE 10
42 Ignacio García PSG WI 3
43 Federico Favaro Old Christians / Peñarol FB 33

All players in the final category ought to be monitored closely. The case of Juan Manuel Cat is unique. If he is playing rugby full-time he will make the roster, and likely the starting line-up. Other names on the non-traveling replacements have the potential to also feature prominently.

Federico Favaro and Agustín Della Corte both played at RWC 2019. They are more than capable of playing in next year’s RWC qualifiers and being on the roster should Uruguay qualify. Special mention is also of merit for Juan Manuel Rodríguez. His recent move to Italy comes at an opportunistic moment as preparations continue for RWC qualifying in 2021.

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Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

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