Uruguay has competed in five Rugby World Cup tournaments: 1999, 2003, 2015, 2019, and 2023.

A huge success for them was qualifying for the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales. They won their pool fixture against Spain, finishing third in their pool.

They qualified for the World Cup again in 2003, and won their pool fixture against Georgia, 24–12.

Uruguay's qualification for the 2007 World Cup started in Americas Round 3a, where they were pooled with Argentina and Chile. After losing their first match 26 points to nil to Argentina, they defeated Chile 43-15 in Montevideo, which saw them enter Round 4, where they faced the USA. Uruguay lost on aggregate, and moved on to the repechage round as Americas 4. They played Portugal over two legs - losing the first in Lisbon and winning the second in Montevideo. Portugal qualified on aggregate points. They again failed to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup final tournament.

Uruguay qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. They did not win any games during the tournament.

Map of countries' best results

Uruguay qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and won their opening game against Fiji 30-27.[1]

Nation Number of appearances First appearance Most recent appearance Streak Best result
 Uruguay 5 1999 2023 2 One win (1999, 2003, 2019, 2023)

By position

Rugby World Cup Qualification
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA Squad Pos Pld W D L PF PA
New Zealand Australia 1987 Not invited Not invited
England France Ireland Scotland Wales 1991 did not enter did not enter
South Africa 1995 Did not qualify 2nd 3 2 0 1 91 28
Wales 1999 Pool Stage 3 1 0 2 42 97 Squad 4th 9 5 0 4 209 188
Australia 2003 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 56 255 Squad 2nd 6 3 0 3 115 144
France 2007 Did not qualify 2nd 6 2 0 4 86 140
New Zealand 2011 Did not qualify 1st 6 2 1 3 178 126
England 2015 Pool Stage 4 0 0 4 30 226 Squad 1st 9 6 1 2 260 168
Japan 2019 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 60 140 Squad 1st 8 8 0 0 318 160
France 2023 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 65 164 Squad 1st 4 3 0 1 101 57
Total Pool Stage 19 4 0 15 253 882 51 31 2 18 1358 1011
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue

1999 Rugby World Cup (Pool A)

Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
 South Africa 3 3 0 0 132 35 +97 9
 Scotland 3 2 0 1 120 58 +62 7
 Uruguay 3 1 0 2 42 97 −55 5
 Spain 3 0 0 3 18 122 −104 3
Source:[citation needed]
2 October 1999
Uruguay 27–15 Spain
Try: Ormaechea
Cardoso
Menchaca
Con: Aguirre
Sciarra
Pen: Aguirre		Pen: Kovalenco (5)
Netherdale, Galashiels
Referee: Chris White (England)
8 October 1999
Scotland 43–12 Uruguay
Try: Russell
Armstrong
Metcalfe
Leslie
Simpson
Townsend
Con: Logan (5)
Pen: Logan		Pen: Aguirre (3)
Sciarra
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
15 October 1999
South Africa 39–3 Uruguay
Try: Van den Bergh (2)
Van der Westhuizen
Kayser
Fleck
Con: De Beer (4)
Pen: De Beer (2)		Pen: Aguirre
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

2003 Rugby World Cup (Pool C)

Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts Qualification
 England 4 4 0 0 255 47 +208 3 19 Quarter-finals
 South Africa 4 3 0 1 184 60 +124 3 15
 Samoa 4 2 0 2 138 117 +21 2 10
 Uruguay 4 1 0 3 56 255 −199 0 4
 Georgia 4 0 0 4 46 200 −154 0 0
Source:[citation needed]
11 October 2003
South Africa 72–6 Uruguay
Try: Van der Westhuizen (3)
Van Niekerk
Botha
Delport
Fourie
Bands
Rossouw
Scholtz
Greef
Con: Koen (5)
Hougaard		Pen: Aguirre (2)
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 16,906
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
15 October 2003
Samoa 60–13 Uruguay
Try: Fa'asavalu (2)
Lima (2)
Tagicakibau
Fa'atau
Lemalu
Vili
Fe'aunati
Palepoi
Con: Va'a (3)
Vili (2)		Try: Capó
Lemoine
Pen: Aguirre
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 22,020
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)
28 October 2003
Georgia 12–24 Uruguay
Pen: Urjukashvili
Kvirikashvili (3)		Try: Cardoso
Lamelas
Brignoni
Con: Aguirre (2)
Menchaca
Pen: Juan Menchaca
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 28,576
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
2 November 2003
England 111–13 Uruguay
Try: Moody
Lewsey (5)
Balshaw (2)
Catt (2)
Gomarsall (2)
Luger
Abbott
Robinson (2)
Greenwood
Con: Grayson (11)
Catt (2)		Try: Lemoine
Con: Menchaca
Pen: Menchaca (2)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 46,233
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)

2007 Rugby World Cup

Did not qualify.

2011 Rugby World Cup

Did not qualify.

2015 Rugby World Cup

During 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying, Uruguay won the 2013 South American Rugby Championship "A", getting wins at the Estadio Charrúa against Brazil (58–7) and Chile (23–9). In March 2014, Uruguay faced the United States in a NACRA-CONSUR playoff for the last Americas qualification spot. Uruguay tied the home leg 27–27, but lost the away leg 32–13. Uruguay then moved to the repechage, where it defeated Hong Kong 28–3 at the Estadio Charrúa, to face Russia for the 20th and final spot at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Uruguay qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup by defeating Russia by an aggregate score of 57–49 in the two-game series, winning the second game at home 36–27 in front of 14,000 fans at the Charrua Stadium.[2]

Uruguay played in Pool A.[3] The pool was composed of hosts England, as well as the third- and fourth-placed teams from 2011, Australia and Wales. They were joined by one qualifier, Fiji. The group has been called the "group of death". Uruguay lost all their pool matches without any bonus points.

20 September 2015
14:30
Wales 54–9 Uruguay
Try: Lee 15' c
Allen (3) 19' c, 30' c, 40' c
Amos 50' c
Davies (2) 60' m, 80' c
Tipuric 71' c
Con: Priestland (7/8) 16', 19', 30', 40', 51', 72', 80'		ReportPen: Berchesi (3/4) 2', 9', 24'
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 71,887
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
27 September 2015
12:00
Australia 65–3 Uruguay
Try: McMahon (2) 7' m, 69' m
Tomane 9' c
Mumm 26' m
Speight 31' c
McCalman (2) 36' c, 61' c
Mitchell (2) 47' m, 52' m
To'omua 71' m
Kuridrani 80' c
Con: Cooper (5/11) 10', 32', 36', 62', 80'		ReportPen: Berchesi (1/1) 24'
Villa Park, Birmingham
Attendance: 39,605
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
6 October 2015
20:00
Fiji 47–15 Uruguay
Try: Penalty try (2) 3' c, 27' c
Kenatale 8' m
Nakarawa 38' c
Cavubati 64' c
Murimurivalu 66' c
Nadolo 79' c
Con: Nadolo (6/7) 3', 28', 39', 65', 66', 80		ReportTry: Arboleya 17' c
Ormaechea 58' m
Con: Ormaechea (1/2) 18'
Pen: Durán (1/1) 15'
Stadium mk, Milton Keynes
Attendance: 30,048
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
10 October 2015
20:00
England 60–3 Uruguay
Try: Watson (2) 7' c, 42' m
Easter (3) 18' c, 23' c, 60' m
Slade 54' m
Nowell (3) 57' c, 70' m, 74' m
Penalty try 80' c
Con: Farrell (4/6) 8', 19', 25', 58'
Ford (1/4) 80'		ReportPen: Berchesi (1/1) 2'
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
Attendance: 50,778
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD T B Pts Qualification
1  Australia 4 4 0 0 141 35 +106 17 1 17 Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
2  Wales 4 3 0 1 111 62 +49 11 1 13
3  England 4 2 0 2 133 75 +58 16 3 11 Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup
4  Fiji 4 1 0 3 84 101 −17 10 1 5
5  Uruguay 4 0 0 4 30 226 −196 2 0 0
Source:[citation needed]

2019 Rugby World Cup

Uruguay qualified by beating Canada over two legs. Uruguay play in Pool D. They are joined by Australia, Wales, Georgia and Fiji. Uruguay won their first match of the pool, which was 30–27 against Fiji.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD T B Pts Qualification
1  Wales 4 4 0 0 136 69 +67 17 3 19 Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
2  Australia 4 3 0 1 136 68 +68 20 4 16
3  Fiji 4 1 0 3 110 108 +2 17 3 7 Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup
4  Georgia 4 1 0 3 65 122 −57 9 1 5
5  Uruguay 4 1 0 3 60 140 −80 6 0 4
Source:[citation needed]
25 September 2019
14:15 JST (UTC+09)
(2 BP) Fiji 27–30 Uruguay
Try: Dolokoto 8' m
Mawi 19' c
Ratuniyarawa 48' m
Matawalu (2) 67' m, 80+1' m
Con: J. Matavesi (1/3) 20'		ReportTry: Arata 14' c
Diana 22' c
Cat 26' c
Con: Berchesi (3/3) 15', 23', 28'
Pen: Berchesi (3/4) 38', 61', 76'
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi
Attendance: 14,025
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
29 September 2019
14:15 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Georgia 33–7 Uruguay
Try: Todua 9' m
Giorgadze 30' c
Chilachava 43' c
Bregvadze 52' c
Kveseladze 58' c
Con: Abzhandadze (4/5) 30', 44', 53', 59'		ReportTry: Vilaseca 33' c
Con: Berchesi (1/1) 34'
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya
Attendance: 24,895
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
5 October 2019
14:15 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Australia 45–10 Uruguay
Try: Haylett-Petty (2) 6' c, 68' m
Petaia 24' c
Kuridrani (2) 31' m, 46' c
Genia 53' c
Slipper 61' c
Con: Lealiifano (5/7) 7', 25', 48', 55', 63'		ReportTry: Diana 79' c
Con: Berchesi (1/1) 79'
Pen: Berchesi (1/1) 13'
Oita Stadium, Ōita
Attendance: 33,781
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
13 October 2019
17:15 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Wales 35–13 Uruguay
Try: Smith 17' c
Adams 49' c
Penalty try 66'
T. Williams 74' c
G. Davies 80+5' c
Con: Halfpenny (4/4) 18', 50', 75', 80+6'		ReportTry: Kessler 71' c
Con: Berchesi (1/1) 72'
Pen: Berchesi (2/2) 22', 39'
Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto
Attendance: 27,317
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

2023 Rugby World Cup

Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA B Pts Qualification
1  France (H) 4 4 0 0 210 32 +178 27 5 2 18 Advance to knockout stage, and
qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
2  New Zealand 4 3 0 1 253 47 +206 38 4 3 15
3  Italy 4 2 0 2 114 181 −67 15 25 2 10 Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
4  Uruguay 4 1 0 3 65 164 −99 9 21 1 5
5  Namibia 4 0 0 4 37 255 −218 3 37 0 0
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: Pool stage tiebreakers
(H) Host
14 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
France 27–12 Uruguay
Try: Hastoy 10' c
Mauvaka 55' c
Bielle-Biarrey 74' c
Con: Jaminet (3/3) 11', 56', 75'
Pen: Jaminet (2/3) 3', 14'		ReportTry: Freitas 6' m
Amaya 53' c
Con: Etcheverry (1/2) 54'
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Attendance: 48,821
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)[4]
20 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Italy 38–17 Uruguay
Try: Pani 7' c
Lamaro 46' c
Ioane 52' c
L. Cannone 56' c
Brex 61' c
Con: Allan (5/5) 8', 47', 53', 57', 62'
Pen: P. Garbisi (1/1) 70'		ReportTry: Penalty try 27'
Freitas 37' c
Con: Etcheverry (1/1) 38'
Drop: Etcheverry (1/1) 42'
Stade de Nice, Nice
Attendance: 28,627
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)[4]
27 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Uruguay 36–26 Namibia
Try: Amaya (2) 19' m, 49' c
Kessler 28' c
Arata 54' c
Basso 66' c
Con: Etcheverry (3/4) 29', 51', 55'
Berchesi (1/1) 67'
Pen: Berchesi (1/1) 74'		ReportTry: Mouton 1' c
Greyling 11' c
Con: Swanepoel (2/2) 2', 12'
Pen: Swanepoel (4/4) 25', 35', 43', 69'
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu
Attendance: 49,342
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)[4]
5 October 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) New Zealand 73–0 Uruguay
Try: McKenzie (2) 20' c, 53' c
Mo'unga 25' c
Jordan (2) 33' c, 65' c
Roigard 38' m
Newell 45' m
Fainga'anuku (3) 49' c, 68' c, 77' c
Williams 73' c
Con: Mo'unga (5/7) 21', 26', 34', 50', 54'
McKenzie (2/2) 66', 69'
B. Barrett (2/2) 74', 78'		Report
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu
Attendance: 57,672
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[4]

Overall record

Uruguay vs Played Win Draw Lost Win %
 Australia 2 0 0 2 0%
 England 2 0 0 2 0%
 Fiji 2 1 0 1 50%
 France 1 0 0 1 0%
 Georgia 2 1 0 1 50%
 Italy 1 0 0 1 0%
 Namibia 1 1 0 0 100%
 New Zealand 1 0 0 1 0%
 Samoa 1 0 0 1 0%
 Scotland 1 0 0 1 0%
 Spain 1 1 0 0 100%
 South Africa 2 0 0 2 0%
 Wales 2 0 0 2 0%
Overall 19 4 0 15 21.05%

Team records

Most points in a tournament
Most points in a game
Biggest winning margin
Highest score against
Biggest losing margin
Most tries in a tournament
Most tries in a game

Individual records

Most appearances
Most appearances as Captain
Most points overall
Most points in a game
Most tries overall
Most penalty goals

References

  1. ^ "Rugby World Cup: Fiji on brink of exit after Uruguay pull off stunning 30-27 win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Uruguay qualify for Rugby World Cup 2015". IRB.com. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014.
  3. ^ "World Cup 2015 schedule". BBC Sport. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d "Rugby World Cup 2023 pool stage". World Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
Categories