The Lions face Perpignan (USAP) in a crucial EPCR Challenge Cup clash today at 19:30 (SA Time) at the Stade Aimé Giral in France, with both teams vying for a knockout spot.
The match is a pivotal final pool round fixture, with the winner significantly boosting their chances of reaching the Round of 16. Perpignan are currently one spot above the Lions on the table on points’ difference, and a victory for the Dragons against Newcastle or a bonus-point win for Lyon against Benetton could jeopardise the losing team’s hopes of qualifying.
With four wins in eight games to their name in the Vodacom URC to Perpignan’s two out of 14 in the Top 14, and the Lions coming fresh off a win, they will back themselves to register a valuable victory, however, they will be well aware that the Frenchmen have won their last three home games across both competitions, which will inspire them to deliver another quality performance in front of their home crowd.
The Lions are coming off two recent morale-boosting wins (against Lyon and the Sharks) and will aim to carry that momentum into France.
Perpignan is historically strong at home and is on a three-match winning streak across all competitions at their home ground, the Stade Aimé Giral.
The Lions have included Junior Springboks Batho Hlekani and Haashim Pead in the starting lineup for their first starts, while some senior players are rested due to minor niggles.
In the backline, Junior Springbok Haashim Pead starts at halfback, with explosive centre Henco van Wyk occupying the inside centre position. Also back is winger Eduan Keyter.
Up front, only Eddie Davids, Renzo du Plessis and captain Francke Horn are kept in the starting line-up.
The match is expected to be tightly contested, with many pundits predicting a narrow home win for Perpignan due to their strong form at the Stade Aimé Giral.
Teams:
Perpignan: 15 Theo Forner, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Diego Mascarenc, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Freddy Duguivalu, 10 Antoine Aucagne, 9 Gela Aprasidze, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Jamie Ritchie (c), 6 Mahamadou Diaby, 5 Posolo Tuilagi, 4 Bastien Chinarro, 3 Nemo Roelofse, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 1 Giorgi Tetrashvili. Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Giorgi Beria, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Adrien Warion, 20 Mathieu Tanguy, 21 Matteo le Corvec, 22 James Hall, 23 Hugo Reus.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Henco van Wyk, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Reinhard Nothnager, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Siba Mahashe, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Bronson Mills.