Lions to weaponise improving set piece against Dragons in Cup opener

The Lions will be aiming to weaponise their improving set piece when they take on the Dragons in their opening European Challenge Cup match at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.

In a strange turn of events the Lions and Dragons are battling it out in three games over two different competitions over a month and a half, after the Lions beat them in the United Rugby Championship (URC) two weekends ago.

They will then also meet in the return Challenge Cup clash in Newport, Wales next month.

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The Lions win over the Dragons in the URC was a comfortable, yet unconvincing one and they will be aiming for an improved performance as they target a bonus point win and favourable points difference, and to do that their forwards will need to fire.

“If the forward set piece is working it gives a great attacking platform for the backs. The set piece is the cornerstone of your attacking play, because it either starts with a scrum or with a lineout,” explained Lions captain Reinhard Nothnagel.

“If the set piece is not functioning well it will be difficult to put in a good attacking performance on the weekend, so that is a big focus for us.

“Our set pieces haven’t been where we want them to be yet. But I think we have made some good strides over the last two weekends. So we are going in the right direction and I believe we can be right up there with the top teams in both competitions.”

New competition

The Challenge Cup is a completely new competition for the Lions and they will be eager to make their mark on it.

Although it may not feel like it, playing the Dragons who they have faced twice now over two seasons in the URC, it will become a lot more apparent when they host French club Lyon next week Friday.

“It’s a new competition for all of the SA sides, with some French and English teams taking part. So we are really looking forward to the competition. We are looking forward to making some good memories with the guys and going to new places,” admitted Nothnagel.

“There is a lot of excitement in the group and we want to put in a big performance in this competition.”

The Lions will also need to start rotating their squad, as they battle it out on two fronts, with coach Ivan van Rooyen claiming that he will need to find time to rest some of their more active stars, including captain Nothnagel.

When asked whether he would face a battle with the coach to start this weekend, Nothnagel said with a laugh: “I get paid to play rugby, he gets paid to choose the team, so it’s up to him.”