We’re proud to fly the flag for Chile! England’s next opponents have already won – by reaching their first Rugby World Cup and creating a legacy back home, says coach Pablo Lemoine

In Pablo Lemoine’s first World Cup match against England, he scored a try for Uruguay as they were put to the sword by Sir Clive Woodward’s 2003 champions – who won 111-13 in Brisbane.

On Saturday in Lille, the former propaedeutic student expects a much more valuable meeting with the English, as head coach of Chile. The fact that his group of brothers has reached the global showpiece is a watershed triumph for a South American nation that has never before been in such exalted company. Despite already losing 42-12 to Japan and 43-10 to Samoa, the Condores have managed to create a lasting legacy.

Their qualifying campaign was a remarkable achievement that launched them into Test rugby folklore. After beating Canada en route to a home-and-away decider against the US, they lost 22-21 in Santiago – amid monsoon disruption and a power outage – and then trailed by 19 points in the second leg in Colorado. Somehow, Chile fought back to win 31-29, giving them a one-point lead overall.

So how did they do it? By forging a spirit that their higher-ranked rivals could not match, through life-changing sacrifices, in the face of outside pressure to focus on alternative careers.

“I knew the match would look like this,” Lemoine told Mail Sport. “I knew if we were close at the end, we would beat them (the US). They were not as strong as us; they didn’t have a big goal like us. Our boys were together all year. We changed our lives for that achievement. We were so strict. Guys changed jobs and colleges, or girlfriends.

‘In Chilean society, sport is not one of the first things. It starts with a job. Most of our boys come from a good level of society and had to change their lives for this. The project we had meant that they had a lot of disagreements (disagreements) with their families, friends and clubs. So they needed mental strength to fight in our matches – to qualify – and strength for that bigger fight.

‘It was really difficult. Their families said, “Don’t do that.” They left their home and their parents, who expected them and what to do, but the players said, ‘No, I want to spend my time here and dedicate my life to this.’

Lemoine created a powerful program and the players believed in his vision. He told them that reaching this World Cup would be a tough task, but they were committed to the mission during the Covid pandemic, initially without pay. They put everything else in their lives aside to pursue this sporting dream.

“These players are great,” he said. “Not only have they built a professional career in rugby, they have also built a spirit together. I told them about the fitness they needed and the environment, but then they had to decide whether they could do it together or not.”

The head coach who masterminded this turbulent crusade is an unassuming figure who shares all the credit and pays glowing tribute to his inspirational captain, Martin Sigren. The flanker spent last season in Doncaster – as a Chilean pioneer in English professional rugby – stepping up preparations for this major event in France. He embodied the sacrifice Lemoine demanded from his team.

Lemoine’s first World Cup meeting with England ended in a 111–13 victory for Uruguay

“Martin was great,” he said. ‘He had a very good lifestyle, with many temptations. He had everything; a house in the mountains, a house on the beach, family trips around the world, a rich family… but you couldn’t meet a more humble man.

“He would say, ‘If you don’t have enough money to pay everyone’s salaries, pay the other players.’ That made a difference. That helped our minds, so when we went into the last 20 minutes of the game against the USA, I knew what was coming.”

The win in Colorado meant so much to the man in charge and to the sport in Chile. It was a result that served as a launching pad. ‘

“After that performance (qualification) we came back to the country and I was invited to a meeting with the president and the minister of sports,” Lemoine said. “They are putting money into improving our facilities; our synthetic field. The money being spent now was certainly created by that qualification. We have given the country the good message that we can make big things with small resources.

‘This has been used in a positive way. It was something to build on. It means you create something forever. It’s a legacy. I’m really happy about that. Sometimes they (politicians) just come and take a photo and then leave, but it wasn’t like that. It changed a lot. It was emotional because it was the first qualification for Chile. It will help grow the sport.”

Chile fly-half Rodrigo Fernandez (left) celebrates scoring the first try against Japan

While some emerging rugby nations are looking to make a breakthrough by recruiting foreign players, Chile has brought its own talent to the fore, under the tutelage of their Uruguayan head coach. “All our players are born in Chile, grow in Chile and develop in Chile,” Lemoine said. ‘They are passionate. They are brave. They are also technical, especially the backs. Playing Sevens has helped with that.

‘There is rugby everywhere in Chile. It’s a big country – a long country! They have rugby in many cities around the country and a lot of social rugby, in schools, colleges and clubs. Perhaps the World Cup will be the kick-off for a program to create even more rugby in Chile.’

What they also have are towering peaks, where the Condors fly high and the team that bears their name prepared for this high-altitude tournament. “We’re taking advantage,” Lemoine said. ‘Our training camps are in the mountains; in the Andes near Santiago.

‘People in Chile have a bond with the mountains. They have a relationship with the mountains. It’s like a mother protecting them. Our steps through qualification… they named each step after a different Chilean mountain. Now we have to find a higher mountain!’

Chile captain Martin Sigren spent last season in Doncaster to intensify preparation for France

Twenty years ago, Lemoine was left devastated as a player by England’s triple-digit hammering in a match played just five days after the shattered Uruguayans defeated Georgia.

He knew he and his teammates hadn’t had a chance to show their best – and that’s all he wants Chile to do on Saturday; despite the inevitability of defeat.

“There will be more pressure for the English players than for us,” he said. ‘If we just play that game, we will win. We will play our best game. It doesn’t matter if we lose or win, we just have to be part of the spectacle and not be the clown.’

These aren’t clowns. They have done what no one from their country has ever done before and laid the foundation for creating a new rugby frontier. That is truly life changing.