The Lions will hope to avoid a Glasgow Warriors backlash after the latter’s European heartache when the teams meet at Emirates Airline Park in the URC on Saturday
To Win
Lions | Draw | Glasgow Warriors
Handicap
Lions | Glasgow Warriors
Match context
Having already been knocked out of the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Lions have had a bye over the past two weeks, something which will make or break their final four game round robin sprint. With Connacht arriving in Joburg next week before the Cash van Rooyen’s men daunting two-game tour of Ireland to face Leinster and Munster, the pressure is well and truly on the hosts.
Sitting fifth on the overall URC table, their highest placing at this stage of any season since joining the competition, they are certainly in a good position, but the quality of their remaining opposition means they cannot take things for granted, especially coming up against table-topping Warriors. With ninth-placed Connacht just four-points behind the Pride, things are as tight as ever in the run-in to the knockouts.
Although the Lions have beaten Glasgow in each of their previous two matches in Johannesburg, the Scottish outfit demolished them 42-0 at Scotstoun Stadium the last time the teams met in March of last year and will be confident of claiming beating them again – even at altitude.
Franco Smith’s side come off the back of a hugely disappointing 22-19 Champions Cup quarterfinal exit at home to Toulon after having topped a pool containing European giants Toulouse and Saracens. So much was expected of Warriors in Europe this term and the anguish the club and its supporters will be feeling shouldn’t be underestimated as they take aim at a second URC title in three seasons.
This could spell trouble for the Lions, who will need to be extremely accurate on game day, with the risk of slumping to what could be a hugely damaging defeat a very real possibility.
Players to watch
Quan Horn (Lions)
Horn has enjoyed another stellar campaign at fullback for his side and will be a key figure once more as his side looks to solidify their top eight standing and take another massive step towards the playoffs this weekend. His counter-attacking influence will be huge while his reading on defence must also be sharp against such an offensive-minded team as Warriors.
With the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Aphelele Fassi injured and Damian Willemse currently being utilised at wing for the Stormers, several more solid outings for Horn will certainly work in his favour as the international season fast approaches.
Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors)
The exceptional Scotland back rower was hugely influential for Warriors in the loss against Toulon, and his form bodes well as the club begins their two-game South African tour this weekend. The ever-present threat of the Lions’ athletic loose forwards will need stifling at Emirates Airline Park, and there’s no better man for the job than Dogged Darge.
The 26-year-old’s work over the ball last week was also excellent, winning two turnovers, and the Lions will be made to pay if they get too loose.
Tactical overview
It remains to be seen just how many of Glasgow’s A-listers do in fact make the trip to Johannesburg, but whatever the case may be, they should still be loaded with more than enough talent to win both of their matches on tour.
The driving maul is an obvious area of strength for the Scottish outfit, who were again imperious in this facet in the Champions Cup. The Lions pack needs to be switched on when defending lineouts close to their own goal line and will benefit from players like Reinhard Nothnagel taking charge in this department.
Elsewhere, the attacking threats of both sides should keep defenders on their toes, particularly late in the game at altitude where the Glaswegians may be especially susceptible to slip-ups if they aren’t dialled in and accurate when they don’t have ball in hand.
That said, Glasgow boast the best attack in the competition and, not unlike the Lions, can score from virtually anywhere on the pitch. It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see several breakaway tries from both sides this weekend.
Prediction
This should be a tight contest but ultimately the home side should have enough to take it on the board by the barest of margins.
