We take a look at some of the key facts and figures ahead of the second round of the Americas Rugby Championship.

BRAZIL v URUGUAY

Brazil host Uruguay at the Arena Barueri on Friday in the second round of the Americas Rugby Championship. The two will both go in search of their first win of the inaugural tournament, with Uruguay slipping to a 33-17 defeat to Canada in Langford and Brazil edged 25-22 by Chile in Santiago.

The Tupis have beaten Los Teros twice in 22 tests since 1951, but have not been victorious since 1964. Uruguay has now won 16 straight against the Tupis, including a 48-9 victory in Montevideo last April.

In Brief

  • Uruguay have scored 766 points compared to Brazil’s 176 in matches between the two nations.
  • Number eight Alejandro Nieto will captain Los Teros for only the second time on what is his 33rd appearance. Gonzalo Soto makes his first start on the flank.
  • Lucas Duque’s selection at scrum-half means Brazil will field two sets of brothers in their backline, with Moisés Duque retained at centre and the Sancery twins, Felipe and Daniel, set for another run out after impressing against Chile.

Rankings Predictor

A Uruguayan victory is worth a maximum of just 0.05 of a rating point. However, Los Teros could still overtake Russia and Spain, if those two lose to Germany and Romania respectively, and move up to 20th in the world. Brazil stand to gain nearly two rating points – and a rise of four places to 38th – if they beat Uruguay for the first time in more than 50 years.

USA v CANADA

The Eagles welcome nieghbours Canada to Austin, Texas, in what is the 55th meeting between the sides since 1977. Canada hold the upper hand in the head-to-head stakes with 38 wins to USA’s 15. The sides drew 3-3 in 1982.

In Brief

  • Watch out for American Football convert Aaron Davis, a former defensive tackle at Southern Methodist University who once tipped the scales at 131kg.
  • Former Eagles captain Todd Clever will become joint record holder alongside Canadian great Al Charron and USA prop Mike MacDonald for appearances in the USA-Canada derby when he runs out for the 16th time in this fixture at the Dell Diamond Stadium.
  • Canada have managed to score at least one try in each of their last 10 games against the USA, a run dating back to 2009 when the Eagles won a Rugby World Cup qualifier 12-6 in Charlestown.
  • Following this Americas Rugby Championship match will be a battle between the two nations for the final place at the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2016 in Zimbabwe in April. Canada came out on top in 2015 and ended up reaching the final of the U20 Trophy.

Rankings Predictor

The 5.04 rating points difference USA and Canada would be wiped out if the Canucks were to win well in Texas. Under the points exchange system, Canada stand to gain a maximum of 2.71 rating points with the Eagles losing an identical amount in return. Canada could move up three places to 16th if they win by 16 points or more and Romania are beaten by Spain in Madrid in the second round of European Nations Cup Division 1A.

USA can only make marginal inroads into the gap between themselves and Samoa in 15th in the rankings, even if they rack up a big win against their neighbours. 

ARGENTINA XV v CHILE

The only match not to count towards the rankings in the opening weekend, given it is an Argentina XV side and not the full national side, this encounter in San Juan will still be fascinating to watch especially as both head coaches have rung the changes.

Argentina XV head coach Pablo Bouza has gone for an eclectic mix of under-20s and sevens stars, with a few older heads thrown in for good measure, in a squad showing 13 changes from the one that drew 35-35 with USA in round one.

Chile name four uncapped players in their squad for the trip across the Andes: hookers Tomás Dussaillant and Rodrigo Moya, scrum-half Beltrán Vergara and utility back Humberto Chacaltana all getting the nod.

In Brief

  • Chile have yet to beat an Argentinean senior team at 15s in 25 previous attempts.
  • This is the oldest fixture among South American nations, dating back to 1936 when Argentina first crossed the Andes to tackle Chile.