The Lions have made six changes to the starting XV that beat the Sharks last week.
Lyon and the Lions have had equally poor EPCR campaigns thus far, with only one point in points difference separating the two sides. The Lions have shown glimpses of greatness by beating the Sharks and the Bulls in the URC. They have struggled, though, to find consistent form, losing three on the trot after beating the Bulls. Ivan Van Rooyen’s men need to prove that they are more than just serial derby winners by stringing a run of results together.
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It would have been better if Van Rooyen could have kept his winning side unchanged for the fixture against the French team. Injuries and suspensions have forced his hand. Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been ruled out with a hamstring niggle, and Conraad van Vuuren replaces him at tighthead, whilst Renzo du Plessis comes into the loose trio to replace the suspended Ruan Venter. The exciting Haashim Pead returns to the bench, hopefully to bring the same spark he showed against the Sharks. Another SA Under-20 star, Batho Hlekani, has also been named to the matchday 23. Hlekani was one of the standout players in the SA Under-20 squad last year that swept to the Junior World Championship.
Lyon are languishing near the bottom of the Top 14 table, winning only six from 14 matches. The French side have also not won a match in the EPCR yet, losing out to Newcastle and the Dragons. If the Lions are searching for consistency, Lyon are searching for legitimacy. The French side needs to win to show the rest of the rugby world that they belong in European competition. Lyon recently beat second-placed Pau in a closely contested affair, showing that they can upset favourites on the day. With home-ground advantage, the Lions should be considered the favourites for the match.
Team to face Lyon:
15.Quan Horn
14.Richard Kriel
13.Erich Cronje
12.Bronson Mills
11.Angelo Davids
10.Chris Smith
9. Morne van den Berg
8.Francke Horn (captain)
7.Siba Qoma
6.Renzo du Plessis
5.Ruan Delport
4.Dylan Sjoblom
3.Conraad van Vuuren
2.PJ Botha
1. Eddie Davids
Replacements: 16. Morne Brandon 17. RF Schoeman, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Ruben Schoeman, 20. Batho Hlekani, 21. Haashim Pead, 22. Henco van Wyk, 23. Rabz Maxwane.
