Los Teros squad named for European tour

Esteban Meneses will have nearly a full-strength roster for Uruguay’s European tour. The 30-man Teros squad features five players based in France and another in Major League Rugby. Tighthead prop Reinaldo Piussi and versatile back Juan Zuccarino are the only uncapped inclusions.

Piussi, who was previously in the Oyonnax academy, gets his opportunity in the absence of the injured Diego Arbelo. Strong form with Selknam and the Uruguay XV and the ability to cover multiple backline positions gives Zuccarino the nod. Both players are 23 years old.

The most notable absentees otherwise are World Cup veterans Franco Lamanna and Agustin Ormaechea. Lamanna has only just returned to action with Mogliano while the presence of Castres star Santiago Arata sees 20-year-old Santiago Álvarez selected as a reserve scrumhalf.

Those based domestically are expected to play with Peñarol in the revised Super Rugby Americas (formerly SLAR) competition. That list now includes loosehead prop Mateo Sanguinetti, second row Ignacio Dotti, and center Juan Manuel Alonso who have returned after spells in France and the USA.

Some other youngsters are set to travel to Hong Kong for the start of the World Sevens Series. Loose forwards Tomás Etcheverry and Carlos Deus, and outside backs Baltazar Amaya and Mateo Viñals are in that group. All should return to contention prior to next year’s World Cup.

Meneses has opted for versatility to cover. Diego Magno and Eric Dosantos can each play lock or back row. Tomás Inciarte is experienced at both scrumhalf and center, while Zuccarino and Felipe Etcheverry are each options at fullback with the former also comfortable in the midfield.

Los Teros will begin their test series against Georgia in Tbilisi on November 6. They then travel to Bucharest to play Romania for a third time this year on November 12. Their final opponent will be Tonga, also in Bucharest, on November 19.

LOOSEHEAD PROP
Matías Benítez (Champagnat) 41 caps
Juan Echeverría (Old Christians) 61 caps
Mateo Sanguinetti (Los Cuervos) 74 caps

HOOKER
Facundo Gattas (Old Glory DC, US) 37 caps
Germán Kessler (Provence, FR) 57 caps
Guillermo Pujadas (Champagnat) 22 caps

TIGHTHEAD PROP
Mathias Franco (PSG) 2 caps
Ignacio Péculo (Old Christians) 8 caps
Reinaldo Piussi (Carrasco Polo) uncapped

SECOND ROW
Felipe Aliaga (Los Ceibos) 3 caps
Ignacio Dotti (Los Cuervos) 55 caps
Manuel Leindekar (Bayonne, FR) 23 caps
Diego Magno (MVCC) 101 caps

BACK ROW
Manuel Ardao (Old Christians) 18 caps
Lucas Bianchi (Los Cuervos) 4 caps
Santiago Civetta (Old Boys) 20 caps
Manuel Diana (Old Christians) 33 caps
Eric Dosantos (Lobos) 12 caps

SCRUMHALF
Santiago Álvarez (Carrasco Polo) 2 caps
Santiago Arata (Castres, FR) 45 caps
Tomás Inciarte (Old Christians) 26 caps

FLYHALF
Felipe Berchesi (Dax, FR) 41 caps
Felipe Etcheverry (Carrasco Polo) 15 caps
Juan Zuccarino (MVCC) uncapped

MIDFIELD
Juan Manuel Alonso (MVCC) 4 caps
Felipe Arcos Pérez (Old Boys) 6 caps
Andrés Vilaseca (capt., Vannes, FR) 70 caps

OUTSIDE BACKS
Nicolás Freitas (Vannes, FR) 50 caps
Gastón Mieres (Lobos) 80 caps
Rodrigo Silva (Carrasco Polo) 73 caps