Lions need to stay on a roll

Having turned around their United Rugby Championship season over the last three weeks, the Lions can realistically start thinking about a top10 finish in their maiden campaign in the competition.

Just over a month ago the Lions were on a five-match losing streak and languishing third from bottom of the table, with just two wins and eight defeats from their 10 matches.

Now they have moved two places up the table and within striking distance of the top 10, after three wins on the trot – two with bonus points – including the latest after a 45-15 drubbing of Ospreys at Ellis Park.

Despite the good form and turnaround of fortunes, Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen is not concerned about log placings, shifting his focus to the coming weekend’s clash against high flying Edinburgh and the continued improvement of his team.

“We have to get past Edinburgh first. For us what is important is to keep on growing and to fix what we need to fix,” said Van Rooyen.

“Then it’s the Sharks, then it’s a weekend off and then we go again. So we are not currently too worried about where we are going to end up on the log. Just turning it around as we have in the last three weeks and to keep building on it is what is important for us.”

The Lions have shown impressive defence and scintillating attacking of late, especially from broken play.

In their last three matches they have scored 13 tries while conceding seven, showing a marked improvement on both fronts, which captain Burger Odendaal (above) explained came down to an improved performance at the breakdown.

“On defence we don’t want to defend 15 or 20 phases, so we want to make a turnover as quick as possible. In our defensive sessions we really try to push as hard as possible to make the turnover and not just get the ball back, but attack from it,” said Odendaal.

“So defence can be used as an attacking tool as well.”