The Lions have the tough task of trying to break their latest losing streak against Stade Francais when the two teams meet in the Challenge Cup competition at the Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris on Saturday evening.
The Lions have had a dismal end to 2022 and start to 2023 with heavy United Rugby Championship (URC) defeats against the Sharks 37-10, the Stormers 40-8 and last weekend’s 33-3 thrashing of Munster, which saw them collapse. down the URC table.
Now back in Challenge Cup competition the Lions will have to try and bounce back against a Stade Francais side who have picked up three big wins in their last three French Top 14 matches, beating Racing 48-10, Pau 37-7 and beating Castres 26-7 last weekend .
READ ALSO: New date for postponed Sharks, Lions match
This sees them sitting comfortably in second place on the Top 14 log and in fine form as they prepare to welcome the Lions.
The Lions beat Stade Francais 30-12 in their Challenge Cup tie at home in December, but the French outfit fielded a ‘B’ team for the match and will need to beat a stronger team for their home game on Saturday.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen acknowledged the importance of his side trying to break their losing streak and get a positive result in Paris this weekend.
“It is important for us to prepare well for the match. It will be a difficult challenge, but we hope that the weather conditions will be better so that we can play a little more,” said Van Rooyen.
“I think it’s important for us to be a group and find a solution in preparation and on the field. We said together (after the Munster game) we have to get back on the horse. We have to change. We have to count.
“There’s an opportunity for us in Paris. It’s a four-week tour and we have four very difficult games to grow as a team and get better. That’s the type of challenge we have to face.
READ ALSO: The Lions are looking for answers as they count the cost of the loss to Munster
It does not make or break the game in the competition for the Lions as they have drawn the first game of the competition against the Dragons, taking three points, and then taking the full house five points from the game against Stade Francais, they can. afford to lose this game.
However, they then had to beat the Dragons at Newport the following weekend, and their failure to beat them at the Highveld in December was a foregone conclusion.
The Lions also desperately need to build some momentum as all three of their most recent losses have been big and they need to try and get their season back on track.