Why Lions are finding it hard to prepare for Racing 92
SPOTLIGHT: Lions backline coach Ricardo Loubscher believes the unpredictability that comes with French rugby makes his team’s preparations for their Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash a tad hard.
The Lions will welcome French giants Racing 92 to Ellis Park for the play-off clash and the home side is seen by many as underdogs heading into the clash.
French rugby is in a healthy spot at the moment with the national team ranked No.2 in the world under Fabien Galthie.
Loubscher believes that the success at international level has rubbed off on the clubs as well and now his team are bracing themselves for some adventurous rugby on Saturday.
“You can see that the French national team’s style is filtering down to the clubs,” said Loubscher, who is a former Stade Francais assistant coach.
“We want to focus on ourselves, but we know they are a dangerous side.
“We need to prepare for a massive kicking game and prepare for a team that is willing to run from their own 22, so it’s hard to prepare for that.”
‘Play to your strengths’
The Lions will also have to deal with the added pressure that comes with play-off games, but Loubscher has some advice for his players.
“You want to play to your strengths,” he said.
“I think the biggest mistake you can make when you get to a play-off game is changing your game and going away from your strengths.
“We are going to stick to what worked for us over the last few games.
“If it’s ball in hand then obviously it is down to decision-making. If they put us under pressure with a great defence, then our kicking game must come into play.
“If they play around the fringes then there must be space somewhere else.
“We have to play to our strengths and it doesn’t matter what game it is.”
Lions No.8 Francke Horn has identified the area where his team can gain the ascendency against Racing 92.
“Set-piece dominance will get you into the right areas of the field and we need to take the opportunities on the field as we did in the last few weeks,” said Horn.
