Uruguay's main focus before the Rugby World Cup began was next week’s game with Italy as they eye finishing third in the pool to guarantee automatic qualification for 2027's edition.

Despite the wider objective, the South Americans ranked 17th in the world showed on Thursday that they can match the best as they ran France close.

The host nation needed a late Louis Bielle-Biarrey try to make sure of a 27-12 win in Lille.

Los Teros trailed by just a point with 26 minutes remaining thanks to superb tries from Nicolas Freitas and Baltazar Amaya.

"We know being able to play with such confidence and matching France was our goal, that was the key to the game," head coach Esteban Meneses said.

"It's a game that has given us a lot of information (so we do not) repeat our mistakes against Italy," he added.

Meneses's side last played a leading rugby nation in November 2021, losing 17-10 loss to Italy.

It came less than two years after their most famous result, shocking Fiji at the World Cup in Japan.

"We're all convinced that the game against France was just one step in our journey," captain Andres Vilaseca said.

He said the "high standard" of play that his team had shown against France "fills us with confidence".

"We can turn towards the Italy game and we can write a page of history," the centre added.

- 'Something special' -

Uruguay's performance was in stark contrast to how the traditional giants of South American rugby, Argentina, played in last weekend's turgid defeat to England.

The countries are one of a record three nations from the continent at this World Cup.

"Rugby in South America is growing," full-back Amaya told AFP after the loss to Bleus.

"We hope to see more of us in the next World Cups," he added, after making just his ninth Test appearance.

Uruguay, whose rugby setup was marked by tragedy by the 1972 plane crash in the Andes and the players who turned to cannibalism to survive, head to Nice to face Italy next Thursday.

They will also take on lowly Namibia as well New Zealand in their Pool A campaign, with two wins likely to secure third place in the group.

Italy hammered Namibia last weekend having recorded improved results in the Six Nations under head coach Kieran Crowley including a win against Wales in 2022.

"It will be a very tough game," Amaya said.

"We know they are a very good team, we saw that in the Six Nations and also saw their last game against Namibia," he added.

Quick-footed Amaya, a convert from seven-a-side rugby, is likely to face a fellow speedster in full-back Ange Capuozzo next week.

"He's a very good player," 24-year-old Amaya said.

"It will be something special, I have to be fast to defend against him."

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