Born: 19 September, 1959 in Montevideo, Uruguay
World Rugby Hall of Fame – Inductee No.148

Considered the greatest Uruguayan player of all-time, the powerful number eight enjoyed a wonderful international career spanning exactly two decades, from 1979-99. The last of Ormaechea’s 54 caps came against South Africa at Rugby World Cup 1999 when he became the oldest player, aged 40 years and 26 days, to appear in the tournament, a record he still holds to this day.

Ormaechea captained Los Teros in 37 of his tests, scoring 30 tries from the back of the scrum, including Uruguay’s first in a Rugby World Cup match, against Spain at Netherdale in Galashiels in 1999.

On his retirement from playing, Ormaechea, a racehorse veterinarian surgeon by profession, took his will to win and unbridled passion for the game into coaching and under his command, Los Teros qualified for RWC 2003 in Australia, where they achieved their second tournament win, 24-12 against Georgia.

Not that Ormaechea’s exploits on and off the field would ever be forgotten in Uruguay but his legacy lives on in the modern era through his sons, Iñaki, Agustín and Juan Diego Ormaechea, who have both followed their father’s footsteps in representing their country.