By Matt Findlay

Uruguay has no Rugby World Cup (RWC) experience in its squad, none whatsoever.

There is no survivors among the current group from the 1999 or 2003 tournaments and of course, the South Americans failed to qualify in either 2007 or 2011.

Despite having no RWC experience, the Uruguayans do have several players with a number of international caps, at the very least.

Santiago Vilaseca, 30, will lead the squad, has 32 caps dating back to 2008 and is one of 26 domestic-based players named by head coach Pablo Lemoine, along with four who play professionally in Europe – Felipe Berchesi, Agustin Ormaechea, Mario Sagario andGaston Mieres, while prop Alejo Corral is with SIC in Argentina.

Diego Magno made his Los Teros debut the same year as Vilaseca, but is now the most experienced player Uruguayan player with 48 caps, across a 31-man squad which boasts just a combined 812 international appearances.

Pooled with Australia, England, Wales and Fiji, Uruguay faces the toughest task of any nation to even score a win in the 2015 RWC, let alone think about progression.

But, as Lemoine said, just being in England for the tournament is an achievement in itself for Uruguay.

“We don’t have star players, but we do have some great young players who could make an impression at this year’s tournament and go on to play professional rugby one day,” Lemoine said.

“Facing the best teams in the world at these tournaments is nothing new for Uruguayan rugby.

“In 1999 we found ourselves in a pool with Scotland, who had won the 5 Nations just a few months beforehand, and South Africa, the reigning champions.

“We also faced Spain, who we beat 27 – 15. I would love more than anything to record another victory this year, but we have already achieved our main objective which is to qualify.”

PLAYER TO WATCH: Felipe Berchesi (five-eighth)

He was a key figure in Uruguay’s qualifying campaign, scoring scoring 75 points in the five-match series of Americas/Repechage play-offs, and as one of the more experienced players in the squad he will be looked to as a leader.

Currently playing club rugby in France, Berchesi has learned the trade of northern hemisphere rugby, and should be one of Uruguay’s better performed players.

With a rugby sevens background, Berchesi’s running game is a real treat, and one which he should utilise at every chance.

SQUAD

Forwards: Alejo Corral, Carlos Arboleya, Mateo Sanguinetti, Mario Sagario, Oscar Duran, Nicolas Klappenbach, German Kessler, Santiago Vilaseca, Jorge Zerbino, Mathias Palomeque, Franco Lamanna, Juan Manuel Gaminara, Diego Magno, Alejandro Nieto, Juan de Freitas, Agustin Alonso, Fernando Bascou, Matias Beer.

Backs: Agustin Ormaechea, Alejo Duran, Felipe Berchesi, Manuel Blengio, Andres Vilaseca, Joaquin Prada, Alberto Roman, Francisco Bulanti, Santiago Gibernau, Leandro Leivas, Jeronimo Etcheverry, Rodrigo Silva, Gaston Mieres.

WALLABIES WATCH:

Do Uruguay pose a threat to the Wallabies?

If you follow Jim Carrey’s train of thought in Dumb and Dumber – “so you’re saying there’s a chance?” – then maybe.

But in reality, it’s hard to see Uruguay posing any threat to Australia, or England and Wales for that matter.

Fiji, perhaps, but even then not a huge threat.

There’s no doubt rugby is a funny game, and strange things can happen on the biggest stage, but overall?

No, Uruguay don’t pose a threat to the Wallabies.

FIXTURES:

Sunday, September 20: vs Wales; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 2.30pm

Sunday, September 27: vs Australia; Villa Park, Birmingham; 12pm

Tuesday, October 6: vs Fiji; Stadiummk, Milton Keynes; 8pm

Saturday, October 10: vs England; Manchester City Stadium, Manchester; 8pm