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RWC 2019 will be the fourth Rugby World Cup involving Uruguay. The South American no2 has improved in recent years with the RWC 2015-2019 cycle showing that Los Teros are a stronger team now than this time four years ago.
Uruguayan progress has been enabled by three broad factors – 1 a National High Performance Center, 2 increased test matches, and 3 more professional players.
Adding to the wins from RWCs 1999, and 2003 will be the goal for Uruguay in Japan 2019. Achieving this will require hard work, and an upset victory. Yet Uruguay has been able to beat Tier 2 sides in the 2015-2019 cycle which means there is a realizable goal for Los Teros in Japan.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
| RWC | FINAL PLACING | RESULTS |
| 1987 | Did Not Qualify | – |
| 1991 | Did Not Qualify | – |
| 1995 | Did Not Qualify | – |
| 1999 | Group Stage |
Won vs Spain Lost vs Scotland, South Africa |
| 2003 | Group Stage |
Won vs Georgia Lost vs England, Samoa, South Africa |
| 2007 | Did Not Qualify | – |
| 2011 | Did Not Qualify | – |
| 2015 | Group Stage | Lost vs Australia, England, Fiji, Wales |
Overall Record: Played 11, Won 2, Lost 9
RWC 2019 SCHEDULE
Much like four years ago Uruguay are preparing for Pool Death of a RWC. Despite it being familiar territory in this regard it is to be entirely new in terms of the approach to what is a split match schedule.
Uruguay will play their opening two matches on a three day turn-around. Games three, and four will then be played over the following weekends against Australia, and Wales. In terms of technicalities this sees Tier 2 opposition in the first half and Tier 1 in the second. Yet Fiji’s demonstrated level, and ranking suggest it is Tier 1.
Uruguay’s decision over how to approach the pool phase will be tough but perhaps a decision will be made to prioritize the match against Georgia. This would see an understrength side open against Fiji but enable Uruguay’s top players to start games two, three, and four.
| DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE |
| Wed Sep 25 | Fiji | Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi |
| Sun Sep 29 | Georgia | Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya |
| Sat Oct 05 | Australia | Oita Stadium, Oita |
| Sun Oct 13 | Wales | Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto |
PREDICTED TRAVELING 31
Forwards: Facundo Gattas (Hindú, AR), Germán Kessler (Los Cuervos), Joaquín Jaunsolo (Los Cuervos), Juan Echeverría (Austin Elite, USA), Guillermo Pujadas (Champagnat), Juan Pablo Rombys (Trébol), Mateo Sanguinetti (Houston SaberCats, USA), Ignacio Dotti (NOLA, USA), Manuel Leindekar (Oyonnax, FR), Diego Magno (Houston SaberCats, USA), Gonzalo Soto Mera (Carrasco Polo), Manuel Ardao (Old Christians), Juan Manuel Gaminara (Old Boys), Franco Lamanna (Darlington Mowden Park, UK), Juan Diego Ormaechea (Carrasco Polo), Leandro Segredo (Old Christians), Manuel Diana (Old Christians), Alejandro Nieto (Houston SaberCats, USA)
Backs: Santiago Arata (Houston SaberCats), Tomás Inciarte (Old Christians), Agustín Ormaechea (Mont de Marsan, FR), Felipe Berchesi (Dax, FR), Juan Manuel Cat (Old Boys), Agustín Della Corte (Trébol), Andrés Vilaseca (Austin Elite, USA), Federico Favaro (Old Christians), Nicolás Freitas (Carrasco Polo), Leandro Leivas (Toronto Arrows, CA), Felipe Etcheverry (Carrasco Polo), Gastón Mieres (Toronto Arrows, CA), Rodrigo Silva (Austin Elite, USA)
PROJECTED MATCH-DAY LINEUP
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Germán Kessler, 3 Juan Echeverría, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Manuel Leindekar, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt.), 7 Franco Lamanna, 8 Alejandro Nieto, 9 Santiago Arata, 10 Felipe Berchesi, 11 Nicolás Freitas, 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 13 Juan Manuel Cat, 14 Leandro Leivas, 15 Rodrigo Silva
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Joaqúin Jaunsolo, 18 Juan Pablo Rombys, 19 Diego Magno, 20 Leandro Segredo, 21 Agustín Ormaechea, 22 Agustín Della Corte, 23 Gastón Mieres
Key Back: Nicolás Freitas
Key Forward: Ignacio Dotti
Talisman: Santiago Arata
RWC 2019 PREVIEW
Uruguay qualified for RWC 2015 via repechage. This saw intercontinental games against Hong Kong, and subsequently Russia. For RWC 2019 the path was different Having again gone unbeaten in South American RWC qualifying, Los Teros faced Canada and would win both at home, and away to qualify for Japan 2019.
The successful series win over Canada was historic and was not isolated as additional feats were achieved by Los Teros. They include wins over the USA in 2016, and 2019; two additional wins over Canada; and wins over the Argentina XV, Romania, Russia, Spain, and Namibia.
Issues of consistency were made apparent throughout the RWC 2015-2019 cycle. In the recent Nations Cup Uruguay would beat Russia, and the Argentina XV yet play at a clearly inferior level in their home defeats against Namibia, and Spain.
Uruguay are positioned as the bottom seed in Pool D. They are projected to lose their matches against Australia, Fiji, Georgia, and Wales. The match schedule does not simplify the task for Los Teros, an issue certain to be raised during the tournament itself. More competitive performances are expected against Australia, Fiji, and Wales than those from RWC 2015.
Week 1 – Italy
Week 2 – Fiji
Week 3 – Japan
Week 4 – England
Week 5 – Namibia
Week 6 – Wales
Week 7 – Samoa
Week 8 – France
Week 9 – South Africa
Week 10 – Georgia
Week 11 – Scotland
Week 12 – Tonga
Week 13 – New Zealand
Week 14 – Ireland
Week 15 – Australia
Week 16 – Russia
Week 17 – USA
Week 18 – Uruguay
Week 19 – Canada
