Scotland v Uruguay
Pool A, Murrayfield.
Five Nations champions Scotland have already suffered one upset home defeat to a South American side this season. Today they are determined to avoid what would be a humiliation.
While the loss to Argentina in a World Cup warm-up match was frustrating, a defeat against Uruguay at Murrayfield today would sound the death knell to the Scots' hopes of advancing in the tournament.
The Uruguayans, World Cup rookies, opened their Group A campaign with a doughty victory over Spain and a win over the Scots would guarantee them a quarter-final play-off spot.
Defending champions South African, who beat the Scots in their opener, will finish on top of the group, effectively making Friday's match the second-place decider.
The Scots should win by a large margin - possibly even threatening their record 89-0 against the Ivory Coast - but the mere possibility of failure has ensured they are fully focused.
"Hopefully we will be able to dictate the game ," said Budge Pountney.
The Uruguayans are a physical side with a strong forward pack, but their fitness is suspect.
The Uruguayans, who will again be skippered by 40-year-old number eight Diego Ormeachea, have named the same team that beat Spain 27-15.
The Scots, who show one change with Jamie Mayer replacing injured centre John Leslie, will be on their guard.
SCOTLAND: G Metcalfe; C Murray, A Tait, J Mayer, K Logan; G Townsend, G Armstrong (capt); G Simpson, B Pountney, M Leslie, S Grimes, S Murray, G Graham, G Bulloch, T Smith. Replacements: S Longstaff, D Hodge, B Redpath, P Walton, D Weir, D Hilton, R Russell
URUGUAY: A Cardoso; M Ferres, P Vecino, M Mendaro, P Costabile; D Aguirre, F Sciarra; D Ormaechea (capt), M Panizza, N Brignoni, M Lame, C Bado, P Lemoine, D Lamelas, R Sachez. Replacements: J Menchaca, F Sosa Diaz, N Grille, E Berruti, A Ponce de Leon, G Storace, F de los Santos.
