Lions get triple boost for Euro tour
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will be desperate to bounce back from their heavy defeat to the Bulls when they turn their attention to the Investec Champions Cup.
The Johannesburg-based side suffered a brutal 15-57 loss to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in the United Rugby Championship but will have little time to dwell on the result as they prepare for a demanding three-week European tour.
*READ: Lions coach after Bulls defeat
The Lions have named a 30-player squad for the trip, which begins with a heavyweight clash against French giants La Rochelle this Saturday. The squad will depart for France on Monday.
However, the Lions have suffered an injury blow, with prop Sebastian Lombard ruled out of the tour after sustaining an ankle injury during Saturday’s defeat.
There is better news elsewhere, with flyhalf/centre Bronson Mills, lock Etienne Oosthuizen and wing Erich Cronje all returning from injury and earning places in the touring squad.
Oosthuizen and Cronje also took part in the team’s warm-up ahead of the Bulls clash as they continued their recovery.
The team will be captain by Francke Horn.
With three demanding fixtures in quick succession, the Lions will need to regroup quickly, manage their resources carefully and address the shortcomings exposed by the Bulls if they are to make a strong impression on the European stage.
Lions squad:
Forwards: Hyron Andrews, Morne Brandon, PJ Botha, Ruan Delport, Batho Hlekani, Francke Horn (captain), SJ Kotze, Tiaan Lange, Siba Mahashe, Sikumbuzo Notshe, Etienne Oosthuizen, Siba Qoma, JC Pretorius, RF Schoeman, Dylan Sjoblom, Ruan Swart, Conrad van Vuuren, Boan Venter.
Backs: Ethan Adams, Zian Cilliers, Boeta Chamberlain, Erich Cronje, Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Bronson Mills, Kelly Mpeku, Nico Steyn, Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg, Henco van Wyk.
