Once more unto the breach for emotionally battered Lions

The Johannesburg franchise has been on the road for three weeks, facing French giants La Rochelle and URC table toppers Edinburgh. They went down 31-14 and 31-10 in those matches, but it was the sudden passing of lock Hyron Andrews on the eve of the clash against La Rochelle that sent a dark cloud over the camp.

Reflecting on the past two clashes, Lions assistant coach Wessel Roux was adamant that their preparation had been good, but it's been 'impossible' to ignore the tragedy.

"Everybody has reacted towards the tragedy in a different way," he told the press this week.

"Our training and preparations have been good. We've tried to really focus on what the job is and how to go forward.

"But it's madness to think that we can forget about something that happened to us about ten days ago. That's impossible.

"We knew it was going to be difficult to recover after the La Rochelle week and what happened there. We knew Edinburgh was going to be really difficult to focus on. It felt like a perfect storm where a lot of different factors just kind of met and created a difficult place to survive, think, thrive, and play rugby."

But this weekend represents another chance to test their mettle. The Glasgow Warriors are a worthy opponent given they are former URC winners, perennial title contenders and a proper force to be reckoned with at home in Scotland.

For Roux, it's a chance for the Lions to express themselves.

"This weekend, we're looking to try and be our best selves and to try and play the rugby we can play," he added.

"Just to really fight for belief and confidence and just kind of surviving through the difficult tour we've had." 

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