Lions load up on Currie Cup stars for URC tour

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has called up a number of Currie Cup players for their United Rugby Championship rescheduled Round 10 trip to Ireland.

The hapless Lions team, which have yet to win a match in 2022, will face European giants Leinster in Dublin on Friday.

The squad for the trip to Ireland will feature six players who started for the Lions in their 31-43 Currie Cup loss to the Sharks at Ellis Park this past weekend.

Fullback Quan Horn, the brothers Emmanuel and Vincent Tshituka (loose forwards), flank Sibusiso Sangweni, lock Peter-John Steenkamp and prop Jean-Pierre Smith all made the cut for the URC venture.

Injuries played a massive role in the team selection - with Willem Alberts, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Reinhard Nothnagel and Ruhan Straeuli all unavailable.

Flyhalf Eddie Fouché has returned to the Pumas for Currie Cup duty.

Also staying home is veteran Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis, scrumhalf Andre Warner and flyhalf Fred Zeilinga.

Lions tour squad

Forwards: Ruan Dreyer, Morgan Naudé, Carlü Sadie, Sithembiso Sithole, Jean-Pierre Smith, Pieter Botha, Jaco Visagie, Ruben Schoeman, Peter-John Steenkamp, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn, Jaco Kriel, Sibusiso Sangweni, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka.

Backs: Morné van den Berg, Jordan Hendrikse, Burger Odendaal, Manuel Rass, Wandisile Simelane, Stean Pienaar, Edwill van der Merwe, Quan Horn, Nico Steyn, Tiaan Swanepoel, EW Viljoen.

@rugby365com