Based mostly on current outcomes, the Lions can be underdogs of their Problem Cup conflict.
The Lions are searching for all-round enchancment as they purpose to reset by inflicting an upset in opposition to Edinburgh of their EPCR Problem Cup final 16 match-up on the Hive Stadium in Scotland on Friday night time.
It’s the third recreation of what has been a dreadful tour to this point to the UK for the Lions, after they fell in a United Rugby Championship (URC) defeat in opposition to Cardiff (20-17 in Wales), and had been demolished 42-0 by Glasgow Warriors final weekend.
They’ve now switched focus to the EPCR, and having suffered such a chastening loss only a few days in the past, Lions defence coach Jaque Fourie admitted they needed to be a lot better.
Edinburgh success
The Lions have loved respectable success in opposition to Edinburgh in current instances, together with thrashing them 55-21 within the URC at Ellis Park final October, whereas they’ve additionally suffered some tight defeats on their house floor.
Regardless of that the hosts are in respectable type, having climbed to eighth on the URC desk, beating the Dragons 38-5 over the previous weekend, and completed prime of their Problem Cup pool, so they are going to be favourites, and the Lions should be at their best possible to get a optimistic consequence.
“We now have to be higher in all areas. Edinburgh are harmful with the ball in hand, so we have to play heads-up rugby,” defined Fourie.
“Every week is a very long time in rugby. We now have an opportunity to reset and put issues proper on this knockout match. It’s a large recreation for us, and now we have to carry out at our greatest.
“We’ve realized our classes. In these competitions, there are not any straightforward video games. Have a look at Zebre’s performances this season, it exhibits how a lot groups have improved. We can’t underestimate anybody. We should be at our greatest on Friday night time.”
Powerful climate circumstances
The place the Lions have come massively unstuck over the previous two weekends is their incapability to adapt to tough climate circumstances, which included rain and howling wind.
Fourie says the forecast for Friday’s recreation is trying higher than their previous two matches, and that the staff have taken quite a lot of learnings out of their heavy Glasgow defeat, so they are going to be prepared for no matter Edinburgh throw at them.
“The circumstances and the wind don’t look too unhealthy for Friday night time. Glasgow confirmed us find out how to play in these circumstances. So, hopefully we will exit this weekend and have an excellent efficiency,” mentioned Fourie.
“We need to get again to successful methods. No participant goes onto the sphere to play badly. Every coach and participant desires to do properly, so it’s a crucial recreation.”
If the Lions can emerge with victory on Friday, they may progress to the Problem Cup quarterfinals, the place they may both head to France to face Aviron Bayonnais, or will entrance up in opposition to Highveld rivals the Bulls, with the venue but to be determined.
