Lions target top-10 URC finish
It has been a stirring two weeks for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship after arresting a five game losing streak, with two fantastic wins over overseas opposition that signals they may have finally turned the corner.
A 37-20 bonus point win over the Cardiff Blues was followed up with a brilliant 23-21 win over Munster at Ellis Park this past weekend, and has offset the disappointing start to the year that saw them beaten by their three local rivals and Leinster in a bruising run.
Ivan van Rooyen’s (pictured) troops were thus in danger of ending their maiden URC campaign near the bottom of the log, however their recent performances, culminating with an upset win over Munster who were third on the log at the time, could inspire them to a top-10 finish.
This would be a huge statement from South Africa’s weakest franchise, who unfortunately have the least depth out of the four SA team’s and thus struggle over a long season, where injuries and fatigue play a big part.
The Lions have six games in the competition remaining and if they can build on their performances over the last two weeks they can realistically target four wins which could be enough to lift them from their current position of 13th into the top-10.
They will definitely need to beat ninth placed Ospreys in their next match at Ellis Park on Friday though, as they face a tricky two week period after against current fifth placed Edinburgh at home and sixth placed Sharks away, and they will start both those games as underdogs.
The final three matches of the Lions season then offers them a chance to end off on a high with home games against Connacht and Benetton and an away match against the Dragons.
Although the overseas teams will welcome back some players that have been on Six Nations duty, the Lions will have a great chance to get wins over Benetton and the Dragons.
The Connacht game will be a tricky one, but with conditions on the Highveld in the Lions favour and if they can continue with their impressive recent form, they will have every chance of winning that match as well.