Lions's alarming injury list revealed

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions revealed an alarming injury list ahead of the first leg of their European tour.

The Lions start their URC road trip when they face off against the Dragons at Rodney Parade next Sunday, October 13, followed by encounters with Zebre and Leinster.

They return to South Africa for the November break, but hit the road again late in November to face Munster.

They also start their European campaign with an away game against Ospreys in Swansea, before they finally return to Ellis Park on December 14 – a Challenge Cup Round Two game against Section Paloise.

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Backs Gianni Lombard and Richard Kriel make their return from injury and have been named in the tour squad, announced on Tuesday.

Young prop RF Schoeman was included in the travelling party.

Lombard's return is timeous, with Kade Wolhuter ruled out through injury.

Wolhuter, who started at flyhalf in both of the Lions’ opening wins against Ulster and Edinburgh, is one of the six injured players who will not accompany the Ellis Park-based outfit on the trip to Europe.

Other players not considered due to injury include Morné Brandon, Morgan Naudé, Ruan Venter, Tapiwa Mafura and Siba Qoma.

Lions tour squad

Forwards: Pieter Botha, Jarod Cairns, Ruan Delport, Francke Horne, Darrien Landsberg, Franco Marais, Reinhardt Nothnagel, Asenathi Ntalabakanye, Heiko Pohlman, Johannes Pretorius, Ruben Schoeman, Juan Schoeman, RF Schoeman, Renzo du Plessis, Conraad van Vuuren, Jaco Visagie.

Backs: Erich Cronje, Quan Horn, Rynhardt Jonker, Richard Kriel, Marius Louw, Rabz Maxwane, Sanele Nohamba, Nico Steyn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk, Gianni Lombard.