Magno to become Uruguay’s Most Capped Player

Diego Magno is to become the most capped Uruguayan player of all time. Aged just 27, Magno will earn his 68th cap for Los Teros on Saturday against Chile. In doing so he surpasses former Teros prop Rodrigo Sánchez, who until last week held his country’s record for test appearances.

Magno featured from the bench against Canada last weekend, replacing lock Diego Ayala in the 66th minute. Of 16 tests since Rugby World Cup 2015, 15 have come in the second row. This is of note as from 2012-15, 30 of Magno’s 33 tests were in the back row.

The transition to locking the scrum has been highly successful but is not altogether new. Of Magno’s first 14 caps, 17 were in the second row.  Standing at 1.88m (6’2″) tall he is shorter than an average international lock forward but has proved a capable jumper at the front of the lineout and has added bulk to his frame in recent years to aid in the scrum and maul.

His countryman and former teammate Rodrigo Capó Ortega is another to make the transition from loose forward to the second row. Capó Ortega played no8 for Uruguay in Rugby World Cup 2003, with French club Castres moving him up to lock because of his size. He stands 1.96m (6’5″) tall.

For Magno setting the record has been a result of his commitment, versatility, and fitness. He has started in every forward position outside the front row and is consistently among the most active players contributors around the pitch.

As the new record holder he can now look ahead to the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifiers. Los Teros will head into the South American matches as the favorite to advance. The winner of Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay will face either Canada or the USA over home-and-away matches. With Uruguay now boasting wins over both Canada and the USA over the past 12 months the North Americans must perform at their best to avoid further disappointment.

The road to Japan 2019 would be a third qualifying campaign for Magno. The Montevideo Cricket Club (MVCC) forward debuted as a 19-year-old against Russia in 2008. In September and October 2014 he started both tests against the same opposition to see Uruguay qualify for the 2015 World Cup.

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