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Rugby World Cup

PREVIEW: RWC 2023 – Pool A – Italy v Uruguay

Italy will be looking to bag their second win of their World Cup campaign when they take on a Uruguayan outfit that impressed in their opening fixture against tournament hosts, France.

Pierre Bruno of Italy
EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

The South Americans proved they will be no pushover during their clash with a second-string Le Bleu side, and the Italians will need to be wary this Wednesday.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Italy v Uruguay 
Wednesday 20 September
Allianz Riviera

Italy 1/25 | Draw 33/1 | Uruguay 8/1

The Azzurri got their campaign off to a near perfect start as they hammered Southern African minnows Namibia 52-8. While their opponents did give them a bit of a contest during the opening quarter of the fixture, it was all Italy from the 20th-minute onwards as they ran in some stunning tries.

Uruguay also impressed in their first game up as they gave a much-changed but still very handy French outfit a real run for their money with the South American minnows only going down 27-12 to one of the tournament’s favourites. 

The two tries Uruguay scored were things of beauty with winger Nicolas Freitas channeling his inner Lewis Suarez with a beautiful first touch off the boot from a crossfield kick to go over for the opener while their second saw outside centre Baltazar Amaya run a beautiful overs line to grab his side’s second five-pointer. And while France managed to overcome a staunch Uruguayan effort, the South Americans put the world on notice with their strong showing.

After running France close, Italy will have taken notice and they will undoubtedly field a strong side for this one as they have a ten-day gap between this fixture and their clash with New Zealand. 

While I can see Italy winning this one, I don’t think it will be by much. As such, I’m on the plus handicap here. 

Verdict: Uruguay on the plus

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