Uruguay Squad for South American Championship

Etcheverry retruns

Uruguay has confirmed a 26 man squad for the South American Championship, starting this Sunday in Santiago, Chile. Los Teros, as one of the top four South American sides will go head-to-head with the three other top side sides with full test matches vs Argentina, Brazil and Chile to take place with IRB World Rankings on the line. The list is notable for the inclusion of fullback Jerónimo Etcheverry, who has returned from Europe to play for Los Teros. Etcheverry has been playing this season in Verona, Italy for Valpolicella Rugby and was not expected to play in the South American Championship. Props Alejo Corral, Gaston Ibarburu and Mario Sagario who play their rugby in Argentina, France and Spain are the other foreign based players included in the squad. Uruguay´s star forward, Rodrigo Capó Ortega of Cartres will not play as he prepares for the Top 14 barrage next weekend vs Montpellier. 

Uruguay´s strenght continues to be in the forwards, particularly in the frontrow but Los Terows will need to play well to hold onto its place in the World Rankings and its CONSUR ranking of being the second best team in South America. Chile´s recent age grade win over Argentina suggests that the hierarchy is changing and Brazil are also interested in leaving a massive impression at the tournament.  Uruguay seem to have the future in mind with plenty of young names in the squad. 

Uruguay Squad

Prop: Alejo Corral (SIC, Argentina), Rodolfo de Mula (PSG), Oscar Duran (Carrasco Polo), Gaston Ibarburu S. Jean Luz, France), Mario Sagario (Santboiana, Spain)

Hooker: Nicolás Klappenbach (Champagnat), Arturu Avalo (Carrasco Polo)

Secondrow and Backrow: Santiago Vilaseca (Oldboys), Cristofer Soares (MVCC),  Diego Bascou (PSG), Fernando Braun (PSG), Mathias Braun (PSG), Diego Magno (MVCC), Alejandro Nieto (Champagnat), Juan Ormaechea (Carrasco Polo)

Scrumhalf: Guillermo Lijtenstein (Trebol), Francisco Vecino (Carrasco Polo)

Flyhalf: Mathias Arocena (Old Christians), Felipe Berchesi (Carrasco Polo)

Centre, Wing and Fullback: Alberto Roman (PSG), Jean de Freitas (Champagnat), Agustín Ormaechea, Rodrigo Martinez (Carrasco Polo), Santiago Arocena (Old Christians), Gaston Mieres (Lobos) Jerónimo Etcheverry (Verona, Italy)