Wales kick-off their Rugby World Cup campaign with the softball fixture that is Uruguay. There are arguments either way as to whether it’s beneficial to start your tournament with such an easy game, but one undoubted bonus for Warren Gatland is that it gives him the chance to give game time to some front line players returning from injury.

In the tightest pool of them all, bonus points will be vital and even points difference could come into the equation – so with that in mind they will look to go full throttle for the whole game, and put as many points past this Uruguay side as possible.

WALES

Despite the need for points there is still a distinct second-string flavour to this Wales team, with Gatland choosing to rest most of his stars for the greater challenges to come.

The returns of Samson Lee and Liam Williams on the tighthead and at fullback respectively are welcome boosts, and after the injury woe they have suffered elsewhere, both will be first choice come the big games.

The other players in the starting line-up that are likely to keep their places for the bigger occasions are Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams and Sam Warburton. Intriguingly, Warburton starts at number six to allow Justin Tipuric license to roam in the openside jersey.

All in all it is a quick, mobile team that will look to run run this Uruguayan side off their feet – and in truth, given their relative statuses, it’s a plan that makes a lot of sense and will likely yield a lot of success.

One to watch: Justin Tipuric

The last time Tipuric took the number seven shirt with Sam Warburton at six, Wales knocked England for a 27 point victory. The Ospreylian openside has been a revelation during the warm-up games, but he knows he’ll still be fighting an uphill battle to make the first choice team ahead of Gatland-favourite Lydiate. A hattrick here wouldn’t harm his cause, mind, and with his work rate and mobility it’s far from out of the question.

URUGUAY

It’s a bit tough to preview this Uruguay team because with 95% of their players playing for amateur sides in the country itself, I’ll admit to not having seen very much of their play.

They do have a handful of players that ply their trade in the European leagues, and with that in mind it will be worth keeping an eye on half-back partnership Agustin Ormaechea and Felipe Berchesi. The former is a scrum-half who plays for Mont de Marsan, while the latter is set to join Carcassonne.

In the absence of their biggest player – Rodrigo Capo Ortega – his locking partner Santiago Vilaseca will captain the side. As a South American side they will likely have a handful of big units in the pack, but are unlikely to be well-drilled enough to cause Wales too many problems.

One to watch: Alberto Roman

Roman is a no nonsense centre, a stocky man who will be tasked with quietening down Wales’ dangerous midfield. He has experienced playing in Europe with various Italian sides, and has a cool head on his shoulders. He’ll lead the defensive charge, although I imagine that will become a bit tiresome by the end of the game.

PREDICTION

As romantic as it would be if Uruguay were to cause an upset, there is literally no chance of it happening. This is their first time at the World Cup since 2003, and they have only two tournament wins to their name in their history. Wales have risked an understrength side, but they will still be comfortably too good for their South American visitors. It is not a question of ‘if’, but rather of ‘by how many’. I think it will be a lot. Wales by 70.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

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