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Subscribe to RSS FeedPortugal Country Profile
Home stadium: Estádio Universitário de Lisboa
Nickname: Os Lobos (the Wolves)
Number of rugby players in the country: 4,286
National rugby website address: www.fpr.pt
Current national champions: Agronomia
Strengths: Nothing to lose!
Weaknesses: Experience, shallow resources
History in the tournament: Debutants
Prediction for this tournament: The Portuguese go into the tournament on an absolute high, merely getting to France is prize enough. And judging by pre-tournament form (which included a loss to London Welsh), the Lobos will fail to trouble any of their opponents - and those early meetings with Scotland and the All Blacks could cause acute psychological damage. With a free passage to RWC 2011 to be handed to teams that finish third in each group, Portugal's main focus will be on that game against Romania - but an upset doesn't seem likely.
Coach: A former Portuguese international before injury curtailed his playing career after 22 caps, Tomás Morais has proven an inspirational coach and is the mastermind behind his country's qualification for a first ever Rugby World Cup. The 37-year-old has been in charge of Portugal's national team since 2001 and earning a nomination for the IRB Coach of the Year award in 2004.
Key player: As one of the most exciting players on the IRB Sevens circuit, diminutive fullback Pedro Leal will be the go-to man for Portugal.
Captain: Bearded law student Vasco Uva took up the game eight years ago at 16 and plays his rugby at number eight for Directo. He has played 33 times for Portugal and has scored six tries since making his debut against Georgia in February 2004. His leadership is unlikely to be questioned - he has a large cousin and an even larger brother in the squad!
Rising star: Belenenses centre Diogo Mateus is developing quite a fan base, and he would have learned a great deal from his recent three-month stint at Munster. A good showing in France could earn him a professional contract.
Team Nemesis: Everyone!
Likely headlines: 'Lobos lopped to pieces'
Price of a pint: A 'caneca' (half litre) will set you back EUR 3,00
Rugby player/sheep ratio: 1:4,500
