LEMOINE FEARS FOR URUGUAY
By Andrew Baldock, PA Sport Rugby Union Correspondent, Brisbane
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Pablo Lemoine admitted a World Cup drubbing by England would spoil
memories of Uruguay's Pool C victory over Georgia.
Los Teros celebrated a superb triumph on Tuesday, scoring three tries and
defeating Georgia 24-12 in Sydney.
But they must now brace themselves for an English onslaught in the pool finale
at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
While England require a win to finish top of their group and secure a probable
quarter-final appointment with Wales on November 9, Uruguay already know they
are going home.
Ex-Bristol prop Lemoine though, says it is vital his team does everything they
can to avoid an anticipated points spree.
"There is no point in having beaten Georgia, to then concede 100 points
against England," he said. "Something like that would ruin the achievement of
defeating Georgia."
Uruguay coach Diego Ormaechea has made six changes to his line-up, including
drafting in centre Joaquin de Freitas, who takes over from the experienced
Martin Mendaro, who was injured on Tuesday night.
Elsewhere, wings Joaqui Pastore and Jose Viana gain starts, alongside prop
Eduardo Berrutti, lock Juan-Miguel Alvarez and flanker Nicolas Brignoni.
Lemoine features in the front-row, and arguably Uruguay's most consistent
players - skipper Diego Aguirre and number eight Rodrigo Capo - will look to
maintain their form, despite huge odds being stacked against the South American
side.
"We don't have the necessary time to recover from Tuesday," said Ormaechea.
"Many of the guys who played against Georgia are in the reserves.
"Our aim is to have a good defence, and when we have the opportunity with the
ball, to use it.
"I believe that we have improved since the start of the tournament, because
we've had time to work together.
"The games that we've played were hard for us, but we learn all the time. We
think that we are better than when we started."
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