Lions set lofty goals for coming URC season: ‘We want to make top 4’

The Lions have set themselves lofty goals for the coming United Rugby Championship (URC) season as they aim to make a big splash in their third campaign in the competition.

In their first URC season in 2021/22 the Lions struggled a bit, claiming eight wins against 10 losses to finish 12th on the 16 team log.

They followed that up with a slight improvement over the past season, making it nine wins against nine losses for a ninth placed finish on the log.

That was below the Lions’ goal for the season where they were aiming to make it into the top eight to earn a place in the knockouts.

Consistently good performances

This season the knockouts is again the major goal, as it would also secure them a place in the premier Champions Cup competition, but according to assistant coach Jaque Fourie they are now aiming higher.

“Our mindset has changed going into this season. Our coaching group has now been together for the past two or three seasons and we now need to move the bar,” explained Fourie.

“If you look at the top teams they produce consistently good performances over most of the season and that is what we want to do, put in consistent good performances.

“So we don’t just want to be in the top eight this season, we want to be in the top four and that is the goal for us going into the competition.”

Competition start

The Lions have a tough start to their campaign and if they manage to get some positive results they will be well set for the rest of the campaign.

They start off against the Stormers, champions in 2021-22 and runners-up last year, at Ellis Park before they take on a tricky overseas tour of four games where they will play in four different countries over four weeks.

From South Africa they head to Scotland, then Italy, followed by Wales and finish off in Ireland before returning home for a couple of home matches.

Fourie admitted that they are desperate to get off to a good start in the competition as it would set them up well for their tour.

“It is always important to get off to a good start. We play the Stormers at home first up and then we leave for a four week tour,” said Fourie.

“It is going to be a tough tour. We play Edinburgh, Benetton, Scarlets and Ulster so we have a fair bit of traveling to do.

“So we would love to start off with a win at home against the Stormers and hopefully we can then build a bit of momentum with some wins overseas.”