Lions Assistant Lions Julian Redelinghuys confirmed on Tuesday that they will rest several players for their EPCR Challenge Cup match against Lyon Olympique Universitaire on Saturday at Ellis Park at 17:15 (SA Time).
"Our position has naturally changed a bit. Our two EPCR matches didn't go so well, and we feel we're busy building momentum with the URC, so we'll definitely use the next few weeks to give guys who really played a lot a bit of a chance to rest, and to give guys who are hungry and have trained well a chance."
"But a big focus this week is to follow up a good performance with one good performance after the other, so we won't make too many changes. Those guys who will be given a chance are those who have been strong in training and are ready for the battle."
The Lions, according to Redelinghuys, anticipate an "unpredictable" Lyon team, as French teams often change their line-ups significantly for away games, making it hard to prepare for specific players.
"The difficult thing with the French teams is that you never know which team they are going to put out, even at home. But what we all know about the French, not just Lyon, is that they are very good. Once they get momentum, they can generate further momentum.”
“They have a very good kicking game, so they are clever with when they kick and are cautious in their own half until they feel that there is an attacking opportunity, and that's when they are sharp.”