Lions look to put emotional week behind them as they gear up for Edinburgh

The Johannesburg franchise was put through the emotional ringer last week in the wake of the sudden passing of lock Hyron Andrews.

But it's back to business this week in the URC this week as they travel to Scotland to face to only undefeated team in the competition. 

Flyhalf Chris Smith will look to ignite a settled backline that includes Springbok Quan Horn at fullback and the red-hot Keey Mpekua and Elrigh Cronje on the wings. Scrumhalf Nico Steyn will provide Smith service.

In the forwards, the Lions welcome the return of captain Francke Horn at No.8. Flanker Batho Hlekani gets a start in place of Siba Qoma, who suffered a head knock and is serving out the necessary concussion protocols.

Finally, Bok Boan Venter - who spent five seasons at Edinburgh - is in the front row alongside hooker Morne Brandon and Conraad van Vuuren.

Assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys revealed they have been tapping into Venter's insights ahead of Friday's outing.

"He's got some interesting insights – from knowing the players well, the coaches, the field, the environment and the weather well," said Redelinghuys.

"He's got some good opinions, which is helping us in our prep. One comment he made is we'll maybe be playing the first half and come out after half-time, the weather's totally different."

"With the Edinburgh-Stormers game [in round two], we saw that the wind was pumping in the first half and in the second half it faded."

Lions - 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horne (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Zian Cilliers, 22 Richard Kriel, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.