URUGUAY

IT IS Wednesday morning and los Teros are under the Montevideo sun. Temperatures will soon hit the thirties; the heat that comes up from the artificial field at Estadio Charrúa is brutal. Grey T-shirts soon turn to black with the sweat of a squad putting the finishing touches to their preparation before they leave for Europe and a three-game November window. It wasn’t a successful trip on the results front, but it is all about taking steps towards the big goal.

This same stadium showcased the best of Uruguayan rugby as the USA Eagles were put to the sword and, for the first time, Uruguay secured their World Cup place almost two years ahead of the showcase tournament. That afternoon in October is already part of the game’s folklore in what will be one of the smallest nations competing at France 2023.

This will be their third consecutive tournament and fifth overall. You can feel it in the players, in the fans,