Lions target historic URC play-off spot in ‘straight shootout’ with Munster

The Lions say they are ignoring their calculators as the United Rugby Championship enters this weekend’s final round, but they would be inhuman if they didn’t keep an eye on the Friday night games ahead of their Saturday encounter with Munster in Limerick.

There is a mountain of permutations for the fifth-placed Lions. One happy scenario would have them through to the quarter-finals by the time they go to bed on Friday night. That would be the case if any one of Cardiff, Ulster, or Connacht loses their game on the night against the Stormers, Glasgow Warriors, or Edinburgh, respectively. However, if all three win, the Munster match becomes a knockout game, with the reward being the final play-off spot.

Munster (51 points) are in fifth place on the log, just two points behind the Lions (53). Lions captain Francke Horn insists that the Munster game has his team’s sole attention.

“Our goal has always been to make the Top 8,” said Horn.

“If we win this weekend, we do that, so it’s basically as straightforward as that. A win makes sure we’re in the Top 8 — then you don’t have to worry about who plays where and who has to lose a spot.”

Forwards coach Wessel Roux backed up Horn’s sentiments.

“Worrying about permutations is a waste of energy,” he said. “We must focus on the things that we can control. I think it adds unnecessary pressure if you do the maths and try to work out positions.”

Permutations aside, the Lions need to get back on the horse after a disappointing performance in losing 31-7 to Leinster. It was a game in which they got their tactics wrong by moving away from their natural running game and kicking too much. Horn, though, says the size of the scoreline did not give a true reflection of the match.

“The first 65 or so minutes we stayed in the fight, we played good rugby and put Leinster under pressure,” he said.

“There were one or two uncharacteristic mistakes. Individuals have already put their hands up and said we need to be better there.”

Horn admitted that his side struggled to cope with Leinster’s rush defence, which is driven by former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

“We already have our plans for Munster and how we want to force our game onto them,” he said.

“It’s a straight shootout. Munster are also going to be desperate — they need a win. So it’s going to be a massive game.”

Roux added: “We are really focused on creating a good set-piece platform and also having an upper hand when it comes to lineouts and mauling.

"We need to give the backs a good platform to attack. We are going full out for the win this weekend, and then the top eight will take care of itself. I won’t say we are desperate — that can put shackles on your performance — but we are going into this match extremely positive.”