URC play-offs: Lions stay in Ireland to prep for Leinster as injuries hit squad

The Lions have decided to remain in Ireland ahead of their quarter-final clash against Leinster next weekend.

Fresh off securing their first play-off opportunity in the United Rugby Championship (URC) this past weekend in Limerick in a 24-17 loss to Munster, the Joburg-based outfit confirmed on Monday that they will remain on the Emerald Isle to prepare for their last-eight clash against Leinster.

Previously, the Lions had lost to the Irish juggernauts 31-7 in their regular URC season clash earlier this month, and they will once again be heavy underdogs against the tournament favourites and defending champions on Saturday in two weeks’ time (kick-off 9pm) at the RDS Stadium. The Lions will be based in Dublin until the match.

Compounding their status, the team will be dealing with a handful of serious injury concerns ahead of the fixture. Captain Francke Horn and centre Henco van Wyk will remain with the squad in Ireland, but will undergo scans and treatment to establish the severity of their injuries – hamstring and ankle, respectively – on Tuesday, with a decision on their availability for the quarter-final to be made thereafter.

According to the update supplied by the Lions, it would seem that Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg is unlikely to play against Leinster after suffering a bicep injury during the Munster loss. The 28-year-old has returned to South Africa for treatment.

Despite reports suggesting Ruan Venter will be sidelined for the rest of the year, uncertainty remains over the Springbok loose forward’s prognosis. Lions coaching staff have indicated that his knee injury is a serious one, but the severity remains unclear and will be determined this week.

Meanwhile, the URC citing commissioner has opted not to pursue accusations of spitting levelled at Siba Mahashe during the clash against Munster.

Mahashe was accused by replacement hooker Diarmuid Barron of spitting in his mouth during a tackle in the second half. Barron complained to referee Andrea Piardi at the time, but after a lengthy TMO check — which disrupted the flow of the match — no video evidence could be found of the incident.

The citing commissioner, on Monday, agreed with this assessment, finding inconclusive video evidence to support the accusation. Moreover, the citing commissioner also revealed that Mahashe had categorically denied the accusation, insisting that he had trouble with his gum guard due to the upright contact of the tackle before the ruck occurred.