The Emirates Lions left for their three-week tour on Tuesday to face the Dragons RFC, Zebre Parma and Leinster. Apart from Leinster who is also unbeaten the Dragons RFC and Zebre Parma have only won one of the three URC matches and should be targeted for victories.
However, Lions head coach Ivan Van Rooyen said they will not underestimate the Dragons or Zebre before their attention moves to Leinster.
“Before we can get to Leinster and Munster, obviously the Dragons game is the most important. But after the Munster game, that's when EPCR starts to happen."
"I think Dragons have improved immensely if you look at the first two rounds. "
"Zebre was probably untouchable in that second half against Munster. And then we have Leinster at the Aviva, they'll probably pick their strongest team before they get to the November break. So it's definitely three tough games.”
Coach Ivan van Rooyen admitted their "small squad" could become a problem later in the season, however, he said it was a key part of their form thus far.
Confirmed injuries before their touring squad was announced include Kade Wolhuter, Morné Brandon, Morgan Naudé, Ruan Venter, Tapiwa Mafura and Siba Qoma.
Van Rooyen also said the Lions' URC goal is to end the season in the top four, and that their destiny was in their own hands.
"That’s the goal. Within the group we feel it's achievable for us, if we do our best and play what we can, we honestly feel we can get there. If we focus, and it's going to sound cliché, but we really focus on the first two home games. On tour, it's always a little bit of a smaller group."
"We spend more time together, so the tour is different and gives us different challenges. We know that we've really got to be in tip-top form against Dragons if we want a result and the same with Zebre. As you said, we like playing against the Leinsters and the Munsters because that's where you see where we are and where you can test yourself."
Then there's a lot of ifs and buts and selections and all of that. As a group, we knew we had five games to get going and get across the board. So the first two are done and the next two are important.”