Uruguay – 5 Players to Watch at Rugby World Cup 2023

Los Teros are among the leading development success stories of the past decade. After the lows of missing out on Rugby World Cups 2007 and 2011, the URU restructured, acquired a national stadium, created a High Performance Center and went from strictly amateur to professional.

Uruguay’s 33-man roster is entirely homegrown. All players are products of Uruguayan clubs. This is not new; what is new is that the URU has bridged the gap from amateur to the test match arena. The outcome is that Uruguay are more competitive now than heading in to prior World Cup campaigns.

While Chile are debuting and Argentina are in the conversation for Semi Final spots, Uruguay are a maturing team. RWC 2023 will be the fifth World Cup involving Los Teros. It is the third in-a-row. Are Uruguay now a permanent fixture at the World Cup? Yes, it would appear so.

Uruguay had a scattering of professional players at RWCs 2015 and 2019. Agustín Oramechea was the highest profile in the former tournament. He is back of a third World Cup to continue the legacy of his family. His father, Diego Oramechea captained Uruguay in their first World Cup in 1999 and coached the team in 2023. His brother, Juan Diego Ormeachea played at RWC 2019.

For 2023 Uruguay has 33 professional players. The High Performance Center combined with Peñarol in Super Rugby Americas, Los Teros 7’s and professional opportunities abroad mean that this is the best prepared Uruguayan team of all-time.

Who are the Teros to watch at Rugby World Cup 2023? This article identifies five. They are players who have impressed for Uruguay during and since the Rugby World Cup qualifiers.

URUGUAY – LOS TEROS

IGNACIO PÉCULO – TIGHT HEAD

Tight head prop Ignacio Péculo is among the most improved Uruguayans in recent years. He has become the first-choice tight head and has not disappointed. Péculo’s work in the scrum and as a lineout lifter as well as in the maul and on defense all tick boxes well.

His work as a ball-carrier is of genuine note; Péculo is a good passer of the ball and a proven off-loader. His work for Uruguay against Chile in the World Cup warm-up matches culminated in an impressive try in the corner.

Século comes from Old Christians in Montevideo. He played for Los Teritos in 2018 and went on to debut for his country in 2020. He earned his first cap against Spain in Madrid that year. He has been capped 13 times by Uruguay.

 

MANUEL ARDAO – FLANKER

Do you like seeing a flanker complete a jackal turn-over? If so then be sure to keep your eyes focused on Manuel Ardao. The electric flanker is small in stature but ignore that and think of an Uruguayan Michael Hooper.

Ardao is an example of High Performance investments. He went from the Old Christians Club to debuting for Uruguay as a 20-year-old against Fiji in 2018. He now has 23 caps to his name at the age of 24.

His abilities on the field are exceptional. Ardao plays flanker but has the pace of a center. He has scored tries for both Peñarol and Uruguay by being too quick for defenders. His turn-over attributes mean that he brings additional elements to the field.

Ardao will continue his career after the World Cup abroad. He has signed for new Major League Rugby (MLR) franchise the Miami Sharks. His move to the MLR is a huge gane for Miami and the league. Indeed, Ardao is of the level to play in the Top 14.

 

CARLOS DEUS – FLANKER 

When it comes to newcomers  Carlos Deus is a name to underline. Deus, which is Portuguese means God, comes from Old Boys in Montevideo. The 22-year-old can play across the back-row and also in the second-row. He debuted for Uruguay against Japan in the second-row, but he is being lined-up by Esteban Meneses to play N8 and flanker in France.

Deus has just three test caps to his name. He could easily play in all four matches for Los Teros at the World Cup. His ball-carrying abilities are what sets him apart when compared to other Uruguayan back-rowers.

However, Deus, is more than just a good runner with ball in hand. He is a hard worker on defense, a lineout jumper and has speed for his position. In addition to Deus, Lucas Bianchi is also a World Cup rookie flanker of note.

 

SANTIAGO ARATA – SCRUM-HALF

This one needs no introduction. Santiago Arata is a world-class rugby player. Followers of the Top 14 are highly familiar with the scrum-half from Old Christians Club in Montevideo. Arata is one of the only players who has outperformed the best player in the world, Antoine Dupont. Arata got the better of Dupont for Castres vs Toulouse.

On defense he is aggressive; big forwards have been sent backwards. On offense he passes long and accurately, he can spot a gap and dart through. His box-kicking is among the best in the game. Make no mistake, Arata is one of the world’s best scrum-halves.

Arata made the move to France the season after Rugby World Cup 2019. He was arguably Uruguay’s best player of that tournament. He scored in Uruguay’s win over Fiji to open their campaign and to shock the world.

The 27-year-old joined Castres after previously playing for Houston in Major League Rugby (MLR) and for Peñarol in Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). His transition to the elite at Castres has been highly successful with Toulouse interested in him from next season.

Arata played in 19 matches in his first season with Castres. They were followed by 23 and 17 matches. He made his test debut for Uruguay against Canada in 2016. He now has 45 test caps to his name.

 

FELIPE ETCHEVERRY – FLY HALF

Felipe Berchesi was unchallenged as Uruguay’s leading fly half for over a decade. Berchesi held down the starting 10 spot from his debut against Portugal in 2011 until 2022. Now in 2023, it is the younger Felipe Etcheverry to watch out for.

Etcheverry made his test debut in 2019. He did so playing fullback against Russia. He was playing in the position as Uruguay were looking for more play-making options. He made the roster for Rugby World Cup 2019 where he was a replacement against Fiji and Australia. He notably came on in the historic win over Fiji to play fullback.

Uruguay’s move to professional saw Etcheverry become the leading home-based fly half. With Felipe Berchesi playing his rugby in France before and after Rugby World Cup 2019, Etcheverry had plenty of opportunities for Peñarol and Uruguay at 10.

Etcheverry performed with distinction as he was among the leading fly halves in SLAR and Super Rugby Americas, notably being the top fly half in Super Rugby Americas 2023. The competition saw his goal-kicking accuracy improve notably. His running game was a sight to behold as hit tore open defensive lines and set-up teammates for plenty of tries.

With 20 test caps now to his name, the Carrasco Polo fly half is ready to take on France, Italy, Namibia, and New Zealand at the World Cup. After the World Cup he will join Ardao and Tomás Inciarte in moving from Peñarol to the Miami Sharks.