Lions bring in experienced prop for Italian job

SQUAD UPDATE: The Lions confirmed that veteran prop Ruan Smith will join the squad in Europe.

Smith will meet up with the Lions, currently in Trevisi, preparing for their United Rugby Championship Round Three match against Benetton on Sunday.

The 33-year-old comes in as an injury cover for Rhynardt Rijnsburger.

The 22-year-old Rijnsburger did not feature in the Lions’ 16-17 defeat to Edinburgh at the weekend.

Yet to record a win this season, after an opening defeat to Stormers and the narrow defeat to Edinburgh in Round Two, Sunday’s fixture will be another big challenge for the Johannesburg side.

They face a confident unbeaten Benetton at home.

Benetton edged out Cardiff by a single point in the Welsh capital in their season-opener and secured a draw againt Munster last weekend.