Uruguay were the surprise team of the the previous World Cup. Few who woke in the early hours of the morning to watch Los Teros take on the Flying Fijians will forget that match when scrum half Santiago Arata scampered through the Fiji defence and captain Juan Manuel Gaminara cried the tears of victory. It was one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history! Uruguay then backed up that victory by qualifying for this tournament as Americas 1 with their largest ever win over the US which was another surprise victory. Uruguay enter this World Cup on a wave of elation and with a rugby revolution underway in South America.

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Los Teros enter this tournament with a relatively experienced squad. Many of the names involved in 2019 are back again for this World Cup. A lot of those players managed to secure contracts in France, most notably Arata who joined Castres and took the French club to the Top 14 Final in 2022. However, this time the older and experienced generation will be assisted by a younger generation which has been getting regular game time in the new Super Rugby Americas for the Uruguayan team, Peñarol. This new competition has allowed these youngsters to play together and bond as a team. It didn't take long for results to follow. Peñarol have won the second and third iterations of the tournament, they've even usurped the Argentinian side in the competition.

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Unfortunately for Uruguay they find themselves in one of the toughest groups having been drawn alongside France, New Zealand and Italy. Uruguay should find Namibia as an easier win, however they'll also be hoping they can bring a contest to the Italians who are on a rise of their own. Can Uruguay add another upset to their World Cup tally? Time will tell.