Match Report: Uruguay 19-31 Scotland

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - JULY 27: Duhan Van Der Merwe of Scotland runs with the ball against Lucas Bianchi of Uruguay during a test match between Uruguay and Scotland at Estadio Charrua on July 27, 2024 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Ernesto Ryan/Getty Images)

The hosts were offered the first opportunity to get points on the board with Scotland penalised at the breakdown with Ben Healy not releasing inside the 22. Phillipe Etcheverry looked to take a shot at the posts but the ball pulled left and Scotland could exhale some relief [7 mins].

After sustained pressure from the hosts, keeping Scotland camped inside their half, the magic of Ben Healy’s boot would shortly set Scotland up for their first real phase of attack. Putting boot to ball from the Scottish 22, Healy spectacularly gifted his side the chase to attack from the Uruguayan 22.

The first lineout saw the hosts infringe at the maul, and so Ewan Ashman was set to throw in again. In similar fashion to Scotland’s form against Chille last weekend, the forward pack dominated with Ashman splashing across the whitewash for the first try of the night. Healy added the extras and Scotland took the lead [0-7, 13 mins].

In a mishap in Uruguay’s lineout on their 22, Matt Fagerson was able to get his hands on the ball and charge his way down the pitch before being taken down by the defence. Scotland however were awarded a penalty, and George Horne took a quick tap and the forwards rumbled forward. It looked as through young-gun, Gregor Brown, had bagged himself a try but he was held up. Uruguay were however deemed to be offside and Diego Arbelo was shown a yellow card [22 mins].

Scotland were instantly able to capitalise on their field position and player advantage. Quick work from Horne to the buttery soft hands of Fagerson, saw Luke Crosbie diving over for his first Scotland try. Healy’s second conversion attempt of the night was also successful [0-14, 24 mins].

Little did we all know, just one minute later, Duhan van der Merwe would make Scottish rugby history, becoming Scotland Men’s all-time try scorer, as he bagged his 28^th international try. From a lineout inside Uruguayan territory, Scotland were able to find Kyle Rowe, who sprinted his way down the left-hand side. Rowe made a slick pass to van der Merve who was supporting on the fringe of the touch line, before touching down as a new all-time record holder. With the try on the very corner of the line, the conversion proved a difficult one for Healy as his attempt went wide [0-19, 26 mins].

The hosts had an immediate response, however. With Scotland looking to exit from their red zone, Alvarez was able to read Scotland’s play and apply speed and pressure, as he intercepted Healy’s pass and crashed over for Uruguay’s first try of the night. The conversion was good [7-19, 28 mins].

After a rather chaotic following 10 minutes, with both sides infringing and note quite able to get foothold, Uruguay were starting to make way with their attack. With Scotland caught offside just five metres from the post, Etcheverry darted across the line for a try. The stand-off converted his try to narrow the deficit and take the score within five ahead of half-time [14-19, 38 mins]

Half-time: Uruguay 14 – 19 Scotland

It was a frantic set of opening exchanges for both sides, but eventually Uruguay were able to apply pressure and work their way into Scotland’s 22. A high tackle from Gregor Brown allowed Etcheverry a chance to take the score within two points on the cusp of the 51^st minute, however the attempt went wide.

Just as the sides began to wrap up the third quarter, Los Teros put a fantastic grubber kick through the sea of navy-blue shirts and force Kyle Steyn, who had just come onto the field, into touch for a five-metre lineout, where Manual Diana crashed over from the maul. Etcheverry was unable to add the extras, and the score was levelled with just under 20 minutes left on the clock [19-19, 61 mins].

Scotland were keen to reply, and with new energy from a series of replacements, were ready to kick into gear. After a fantastic break down the park from Rory Darge, Scotland were fortunate to have penalty advantage and fresh-legged Adam Hastings was able to nudge the ball into touch for a five-metre line out. Scotland packed a punch with a simple lineout move, where Patrick Harrison, on his first touch of the ball, would dot down for his first international try to take Scotland back into the lead. Hastings added the extras [19-26, 65 mins].

It was clear Scotland were switching up a gear, and very quickly added another try. With Huw Jones finding space on the left wing, the forwards were able to make a series of strong carries before Pierre Schoeman dummied the ball and crashed over from close range. Hastings’ conversion attempt sailed wide of the posts [19-31, 68 mins].

With the clock winding down to the final minute, Scotland looked to be in for another shot for a try as Uruguay were penalised for being offside, allowing Hastings to kick for yet another lineout on the frays of the five-metre line. Scotland worked a beautiful move straight from the training field, with Kyle Steyn breaking the defence to dot down. As Scotland celebrated, the TMO and referee decided to check for an obstruction, of which they adjudged Jones guilty of, and the try was not given.

Full-time: Uruguay 19 – 31 Scotland

Scotland: Harry Paterson (Edinburgh Rugby), Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones (vice-captain), Stafford McDowall (all Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe; Ben Healy (both Edinburgh Rugby), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors); Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors),Ewan Ashman (vice-captain, Javan Sebastian (both Edinburgh Rugby), Max Williamson, Gregor Brown (both Glasgow Warriors), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Darge (captain), Matt Fagerson (both Glasgow Warriors)

Replacements: Patrick Harrison (on for Ewan Ashman, 64 mins) , Pierre Schoeman (on for Rory Sutherland, 54 mins) (both Edinburgh Rugby), Murphy Walker (on for Javan Sebastian, 54 mins) (Glasgow Warriors), Ewan Johnson (on for Gregor Brown, 69 mins) (Oyonnax), Jamie Ritchie (on for Luke Crosbie, 64 mins) (Edinburgh Rugby), Jamie Dobie (on for George Horne, 62 mins), Adam Hastings (on for Ben Healy, 54 mins), Kyle Steyn (on for Kyle Rowe, 54 mins) (all Glasgow Warriors).

Uruguay: Baltazar Amaya, Gastón Mieres, Tomás Inciarte, Andrés Vilaseca, Nicolás Freitas; Felipe Etcheverry, Santiago Arata; Mateo Sanguinetti, Germán Kessler, Diego Arbelo, Ignacio Dotti, Manuel Leindekar, Santiago Civetta, Manuel Ardao, Manuel Diana.

Replacements: Guillermo Pujadas, Mathias Franco, Ignacio Péculo, Diego Magno, Lucas Bianchi, Santiago Álvarez, Matías D’Avanzo, Bautista Basso.