Rugby World Cup diary: Uruguay hope greatest result can inspire a nation

Rugby World Cup pool D: Fiji 27 Uruguay 30

Uruguay fly-half Felipe Berchesi hopes that the stunning victory over Fiji can inspire more people to start playing rugby in the South American nation.

In pool D on Wednesday Uruguay secured what has been described as the “greatest result in their history” after beating the flying Fijians at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium.

Speaking after the 30-27 win, Uruguay’s first at a RWC since 2003, man-of-the-match Berchesi said: “It’s unreal. We lost 60 points against them in November. It’s outstanding. It’s a really good day for Uruguayan rugby.

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“I hope everybody could see that, and everybody joins to play rugby in Uruguay. We need more players.”

Uruguay head coach Esteban Meneses added: “First, congratulations to the 31 players. I love this. We have been preparing for this match for four years - we are a team and we win like a team.”

After a second successive pool D defeat Fiji are on the brink of elimination from the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Head coach John McKee said: “Credit to Uruguay, they got a great result today. We were off the pace and critical errors gifted them tries. We just didn’t have the mental toughness to get back into the game.”

Canada aim for revenge against Italy

Canada open their pool B campaign against Italy on Thursday and will be aiming to get revenge after a “heartbreaking” loss at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Four years ago Canada had taken a 10-0 lead but Italy fought back to win the match 23-18.

Centre Nick Blevins said: “The loss was heartbreaking. The guys played so well.

“It can be done. We’ve played many close games with them [Italy] in recent history so we just need the belief that we can beat them.”

The pool B clash between Canada and Italy will be played at the Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium. Kick-off is at 8.45am (BST), live on ITV 4.

Ahead of the match in Fukuoka Japanese school children sang the Italian national anthem for the Italy players.

Jones makes changes

After Canada and Italy go head-to-head in pool B the second match on Thursday will see England take on the United States in pool C (11.45am, live on ITV).

England head coach Eddie Jones has made ten changes to the team that beat Tonga.

England starting XV vs. United States

• 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Ruaridh McConnochie, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 George Ford (captain), 9 Willi Heinz; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 George Kruis, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Lewis Ludlam, 8 Billy Vunipola
• Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Anthony Watson

Next RWC fixtures

• Thursday 26 September: Italy vs. Canada (8.45am; Hakatanomori Football Stadium, Fukuoka; ITV 4)
• Thursday 26 September: England vs. USA (11.45am; Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe; ITV)
• Saturday 28 September: Argentina vs. Tonga (5.45am; Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka; ITV)
• Saturday 28 September: Japan vs. Ireland (8.15am; Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka; ITV)
• Saturday 28 September: South Africa vs. Namibia (10.45am; City of Toyota Stadium, Aichi; ITV)
• Sunday 29 September: Georgia vs. Uruguay (6.15am; Prefectual Kumagaya Rugby Grounds, Kumagaya; ITV)
• Sunday 29 September: Australia vs. Wales (8.45am; Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo; ITV)
• 2019 Rugby World Cup fixtures and TV guide

RWC guides and features

• Winner predictions and betting odds: who will lift the Webb Ellis Cup?
• Squads: who will be playing for the 20 teams in Japan?
• Scotland team profile, pool A fixtures, squad
• Ireland team profile, pool A fixtures, squad
• England team profile, pool C fixtures, squad
• Wales team profile, pool D fixtures, squad
• Rugby World Cup opening ceremony: videos and best pictures