Lions unleash 'new' backline
Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has made several changes to his team, including a revised backline, to take on French outfit Mont de Marsan at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Ackermann made seven changes to the team that started in their last match in the Lions Challenge series – a 41-31 win over the Southern Kings at the same venue a month ago.
Five of the changes are to the backline, which has a more settled look to it.
Andries Coetzee starts at fullback, having featured on the right wing against the Kings. Deon van Rensburg comes into the No.14 jersey.
JP du Plessis comes into the midfield at inside centre in place of Alwyn Hollenbach – who drops to the bench.
Marnitz Boshoff starts at flyhalf and vice-captain Michael Bondesio is back at scrumhalf. Lionel Cronjé drops to the bench and Ross Cronjé is out of the matchday 22.
Bulls import Warwick Tecklenburg starts on the flank in place of Jaco Kriel.
Robbie Coetzee gets a start at hooker in place of Francois du Toit in the final change.
* The Mont de Marsan team, also referred to as Stade Montois, named a team featuring four South Africans.
Flank Lodie Britz, lock Bêrend Botha and Piet Grobler are the South Africans in the starting XV, with utility forward Vickus Liebenberg on the bench.
Lock Scott Murray is the Scottish veteran.
Mont-de-Marsan are bottom of the Top 14 standings on 15 points. Second last are Agen with 27 points.
Mont-de-Marsan have played 21, won just two and lost 19. They look certain for relegation to the Pro D2 section next season.
Teams:
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 JP du Plessis, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Derek Minnie, 7 JJ Breet, 6 Warwick Tecklenburg, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (captain).
Replacements- from: Francois du Toit, Jacques van Rooyen, Gavin Annandale, Jaco Kriel, Guy Cronje, Lionel Cronje, Alwyn Hollenbach, Ruhan Nel, Deon Helberg, Julian Redelinghuys.
Mont-de-Marsan: 15 Yoan Durquet, 14 Jean-Marc Mazzonetto, 13 Baptiste Chedal, 12 Daniele Baleinadogo, 11 Zimum Lucu, 10 Benat Arrayet, 9 Arnaud Pic, 8 Alexandre Ricaud, 7 Lodie Britz, 6 Julien Tastet, 5 Bêrend Botha, 4 Scott Murray, 3 Sebastien Ormaechea, 2 Piet Grobler, 1 Alexandre Menini.
Replacements – from: Julien Janaudy, Pierre Correia, Vickus Liebenberg, Yann Brethous, Julien Cabannes, Thibault Duvallet, Martin Jagr, Mathieu Giudicelli, Vasssili Bost, Jean-Baptiste Dubie.
Date: Saturday, March 16
Venue: Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.30 (17.30 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Sieg van Staden (South Africa)
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)
