Andrés Vilaseca

Labelled 'Lazy' as a boy, the Uruguay captain is now a national linchpin

- Frankie Deges 

URUGUAY HAVE achieved a first as never before have two brothers led their country in the Rugby World Cup. Second-row Santiago Vilaseca was captain for England 2015 while his younger brother Andrés, a centre, led Los Teros against Australia at Japan 2019, when the tournament captain was Juan Gaminara.

Andrés, who plays for Vannes in France's ProD2, handles his leadership role with great commitment in a squad that has many positive leaders. "It is a pleasure seeing him as captain of Los Teros," says Gaminara, who hails from the same British Schools Old Boys Club in Montevideo. "He leads with example and works hard to ensure everybody is united and working together."

Nicknamed Fatiga (Lazy) because of his idleness as a young boy, Andrés is far from that. "He works very hard, is very humble and has grown every year in his game - not physically as he was always a big bear."