Lions want to finish on a high against Ospreys: ‘It’s about honour and the badge’

A disappointed Lions team will be giving it their all to finish their season on a high when they take on Ospreys in their final match of the United Rugby Championship (URC) season at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions were eliminated from the playoff hunt over the past weekend, before their poor home loss against Scarlets, and if they are beaten by another Welsh side in their final match, it could see them register their worst ever finish in the URC.

Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys said the team was dissatisfied with their season, and that they had not lived up to the expectations and goals they had set for themselves at the start of the campaign.

“We are under no illusions of what the expectations are for us as a team and we have to admit that we are very disappointed in how the season turned out,” said Redelinghuys.

“Especially after our (strong) start, we were four (wins) out of four, (including) two (wins) on tour and I just think inconsistency and not looking after the small things killed us.

“I still have no doubt of the potential of this group. I believe these players are machines. We just weren’t consistent enough individually, collectively and as a team. Then we can’t expect to be in the playoffs.”

Lay platform

Despite this being the first time since their inaugural URC campaign that the Lions head into the final pool match without a chance of making the playoffs, Redelinghuys believes the team are fired up to end their season on the best possible note and lay a platform for next season.

“It is very disappointing. We would have liked to sit here already qualified, we have the potential to do that, but because of our inconsistency we did not manage to do that,” explained Redelinghuys.

“Now we are sitting here without a chance, but saying that I have no doubt that the guys will want to finish off on a high note and play for honour and the badge this weekend. It could also give them a good platform to play off ahead of next season.”

The Lions have also lost their last two games against Ospreys, 38-28 in the URC in Swansea last season, while they also were beaten 36-21 in last season’s Challenge Cup competition at Ellis Park.

So a win over them would be a particularly sweet way to end their campaign and also get some revenge on a side that has had their number in recent times.