'GROUP OF CHAMPIONS'

England know they will have to be at their very best if they are to qualify for the knockout rounds this summer

But it is not just Roy Hodgson's men who cannot underestimate any opponent. The same can be said for rivals Uruguay and Cristian Rodriguez tells us why

England know they will have to be at their very best if they are to qualify from Group D to the knockout rounds of this summer's World Cup. But it is not just Roy Hodgson's men who have their work cut out to progress to the latter stages; the same can be said for rivals Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica. Along with groups B and G, the group is among the toughest for the finals in Brazil and that will make it even more interesting viewing for fans. Players will have to be at their best and this will especially be the case when England meet Uruguay in their second group game on 19th June. Cristian Rodriguez is well aware he and his countrymen cannot underestimate any opponent this summer but he is still desperate for success come kick-off. The winger - nicknamed El Cebolla (The Onion) - celebrated in style after Uruguay qualified, embarking on an epic horse ride of more than 100 miles, and with good reason. Rodriguez missed Uruguay's route to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals after being left out of the squad by boss Oscar Tabarez having earned a four-match suspension towards the end of qualifying for hitting Argentina's Gabriel Heinze. Not only that but Rodriguez has also had a mixed season at club level, where he has been a member of La Liga title-winners and UEFA Champions League runners-up Atletico Madrid's squad but he made only three starts. However, the 28-year-old's versatility on the flank in attack and defensive roles mean he is somewhat of a secret weapon for Tabarez's team and remains a regular member of the first XI, starting both legs of Uruguay's play-off win over Jordan and scoring in man-of-the-match performance in the first fixture. Here, in a Q&A with PUMA - Uruguay's national team kit sponsors, Rodriguez discussed his nation's World Cup prospects and that unusual, horse-riding celebration.

How big are the chances in your opinion that Uruguay will make it past the group stage, looking at strong opponents like England and Italy right at the start?

"It is the toughest group in the World Cup, because there are three champions in our group: England, Uruguay and Italy, and Costa Rica as well, who are playing really well; they are used to the heat."

In the past, you have impressed through your capabilities of being able to play in both attacking and more defensive roles. Which role do you actually prefer?

"I play differently with the national team than I do in Spain. In Spain, I play more forward. With the national team, I play more as a defender. This is always changing, because tactics change during the match and at times I play more as a defender and then, all of a sudden, I am more open in front. I feel comfortable with both. There is no difference."

Cristian, tell us, when was the last time you really made an opponent cry?

"I honestly do not remember. Maybe for something the press said, which made him cry in defence, but I honestly do not remember."

We have read an interesting story about you riding a horse 170 kilometres (105 miles) to the chapel in San Cono in Uruguay after the team beat Jordan to qualify for Brazil. How did this come about?

"It was a promise I made during the qualifiers, that if we were to make it to the World Cup I was going to ride those kilometres to the San Cono chapel on horseback. It was a promise I had to keep and that I was able to do. It was 12 hours on horseback under pretty tough conditions, because it was hot, but it was an unforgettable experience that will hopefully be repeated."

What was the journey like, easier or harder than playing international football?

"It is harder, because it is 12 hours on horseback in 35°C heat and, yes, because it was in December and that is summer in Uruguay. But it was honestly worth it and arriving to the chapel, which is where I had made the promise, was beautiful." Cristian Rodriguez wears the new Uruguay World Cup kit by PUMA, available from Kitbag.com NOW, and the PUMA evoSPEED 1.2 Tricks available from ProDirectSoccer.com. For more information on PUMA's national kit sponsorships and evoPOWER and evoSPEED boot ranges head to http://puma.com/football