Lions look to get URC campaign back on track against Scarlets at home

Returning from a challenging three-week tour where they faced Cardiff Rugby, Zebre and Benetton, the men from Johannesburg are backing themselves to register their first win of the season against the side from Llanelli.

Lions assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher was upbeat this week, praising the energy of the squad despite the challenging tour.

"The energy within the camp is good," he commented.

"We can't wait for Saturday, it's great to be back home."

Loubscher gave insight this week on the team's approach and how preparations have gone ahead of Scarlet's visit to Ellis Park.

"We know that it's going to be a tough challenge on the weekend. Scarlets present a different approach defensively, so from an attack point of view, we need to be ready for that," he added.

"Our training this week was focused mainly on simulating the pressure we can expect from the opposition in terms of defence and attack pictures, in order for the players get a feel of what it will be like come Saturday."

In team news, Nico Steyn starts at halfback in place of Springbok Morne van den Berg, who came off early in the first half against Benetton last week with a hamstring strain. Lock Darrien Landsberg fills the number five jumper in place of Ruan Delport, with Reinhard Nothnagel returning from injury on the bench as lock cover.

Winger Eduan Keyter also makes a return after missing out last weekend. Layton Horn provides scrumhalf cover with Kelly Mpeku also included in the matchday 23.

Lions - 15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze.

Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Kelly Mpeku.