Lions name squad for 'tough' European tour: 'We need to be more consistent'

The Lions have named their 29-man touring squad for their upcoming fixtures in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Challenge Cup.

The Lions face Muster on Friday, 6 January in a URC game at Musgrave Park in Cork and then compete in back-to-back Challenge Cup encounters against Stade Francais and Dragons.

The Johannesburg-franchise then wraps up their four-week tour with a URC clash against Irish outfit Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway on 28 January.

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Rabz Maxwane and Sanele Nohamba picked up injuries against the Stormers on Saturday, where they were thrashed 40-8 at Cape Town Stadium.

Meanwhile, Sti Sithole has not recovered from his niggle against the Sharks, and Ruan Dreyer, Reinhard Nothnagel and Francke Horn were not considered due to their injuries too.

Your Emirates Lions 29-man squad jetting off to do duty in Europe for both the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and EPCR Challenge Cup competitions.#LionsPride?? pic.twitter.com/7B9h3aVfBA

Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen says his side are under no illusion as they face a gruelling European tour.

"There's still a tremendous amount of belief within the squad in terms of where we are currently in the process. We know we need to be more consistent on attack and defense especially. We are under no illusion that it's going be a tough tour," said Van Rooyen.

"We like touring. We spend a lot of time together in Johannesburg, but time together on tour is just different.

"Going away together for four weeks on tour is a great opportunity for us to pull together, get consistency in our preparations and roll with the punches."

Lions 29-man touring squad:

Forwards: Ruan Smith, JP