Lions coach prioitising URC over Challenge Cup

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen admitted that his focus is on propelling his team up the United Rugby Championship rankings.

The Johannesburg franchise is currently in a mid-table log jam in the URC, where they are ranked 11th but are just four points off fifth place with a game in hand. A top-eight finish will put the Lions in the playoffs and increase their chances of qualifying for the prestigious Champions Cup next season.

With this in mind, van Rooyen is resting easy for this Saturday's Challenge Cup fixture in France against Montpellier. With two wins from two games, the Lions are mathematically 99% assured of a place in the next round of European rugby's second-tier tournament.

Speaking to Rugby365, van Zyl confirmed as much.

"It [the URC] is the competition we want to excel in," said the Lions boss.

"We got off to a decent start in the EPCR [Challenge Cup]. The next two rounds will determine where we are in that tournament."

As van Rooyen looks to manage his squad for the never-ending season, he has opted to leave several Lions stars at home for the French soirée.

Lions squad for Montpellier

Backs: Andries Coetzee, Erich Cronje, Baldwin Hansen, Jordan Hendrikse, Rynhardt Jonker, Gianni Lombard, Johan Mulder, Stean Pienaar, Manuel Rass, Nico Steyn, Kade Wolhuter

Forwards: Morné Brandon, Izan Esterhuizen, Corne Fourie, Travis Gordon, Darrien-Lane Landsberg, Morgan Naudé, Etienne Oosthuizen, Heiko Pohlmann, JC Pretorius, Raynard Roets, Hanru Sirgel, Ruan Smith, Ruhan Straeuli, Conrad van Vuuren, Jaco Visagie