Ivan van Zyl on Lions URC playoff chances: We're still alive

Just five points separate five teams from sixth to tenth on the URC table. The Lions earned a crucial bonus-point win with a comfortable 34-13 victory over lowly Cardiff on Saturday. That puts them four points shy of seventh-place Edinburgh and eighth-placed Benneton, who are locked on 48 points each.

"We are still alive," Van Rooyen told reporters after the match, as per rugby365.com.

"Looking at the other results, you don't want to drop the ball. We probably need about 11 points out of the last three games, so yes there is a lot of work, but it's five points."

The task doesn't get much easier for the Lions. Next week, they host table-toppers Glasgow Warriors, who will be buoyed by their strong second-half performance despite going down 40-34 to the Bulls.

"I think we can be more clinical," added van Rooyen.

"I think we have to sharpen up our tight phases. We saw what Glasgow could do against the Bulls - how they fought back.

"They are a proud team and they are leading the points table, so we know it's going to take a huge effort from us. But we are alive and that gives us a chance and hope."

After Glasgow, the Lions face a difficult trip down to Cape Town for a local derby against the Stormers in their final match of the URC pool stage.

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