Portugal - Rugby World Cup Team Stats

Portugal are the only debutants in the 2007 world cup.

They were the last team to qualify, in March

To reach the final stages they beat Uruguay in a repechage match, 24-23 on aggregate.

After wild celebrations six of the team were arrested and spent a night in a Montevideo jail.

Portugal are one of only two teams playing at the world cup, the other being Namibia, not to be in the top 20 in the international rankings.

Portugal won the European Nations Cup in 2003/04 season.

Portugal are nicknamed ‘Os Lobos’ translated as ‘The Wolves’.

Portugal’s biggest win is the 55-11 beating of the Netherlands in 1996.

Their heaviest defeat was a 102-11 beating by Wales in a world cup qualifying match in 1994.

Last month they were defeated 19-16 by National One side London Welsh.

Portugal only have three professional players in their 30 man squad. The three, all playing in France are: David Penalva of Blagnac, Andre Silva of Mont-de-Marsan and Goncalo Uva of Montpellier.

Centre Diogo Mateus spent three months at Munster last season.

Captain Vasco Uva has his brother Goncalo Uva in the squad and also his cousin Joao Uva.

In their only world cup in 1999, Spain only scored 18 points and did not manage to cross for a try. Portugal will certainly be looking to better the record of their Iberian neighbours in this tournament.