Lions skipper Francke Horn admits he'll be tuned into Friday night's URC drama as the race for the Top 8 reaches boiling point. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Although his main focus will be fully on preparing for Munster this weekend in a critically important United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter, Francke Horn admitted on Tuesday that he will also be paying attention to the tournament’s matches on Friday.
Currently fourth in the URC standings on 53 points, the Lions are desperately close to qualifying for the play-offs of the competition for the first time. With Munster (51 points), Cardiff (50), and Ulster (50) and Connacht (49) within four points, the Lions can still find themselves locked out of the Top 8, should results go against them and they lose heavily to the Irish franchise.
While the SA Shield winners still have the keys to unlock the play-offs, the Lions be keenly aware of the evolving standings ahead of their match. It is for this reason that captain Horn will be watching closely.
"I am a guy that enjoys my time watching rugby, so I will definitely be watching," said Horn, with a smile. "I just don't know which game yet."
"Some of the other guys, they try and get away from the game and just focus on themselves and our game the next day. each to their own ... we all want to make sure we are ready for our game on Saturday, then it won’t matter what any other team does."
The three games in question that will pique Horn’s interest, and that of the Lions faithful on Friday, will see Cardiff host the second-placed Stormers, Edinburgh face in-form Connacht, and the table-topping Glasgow Warriors travelling to Belfast to take on Ulster (all games kick off at 8.45pm). Should any of Cardiff, Connacht, or Ulster lose their games, the Lions can rest assured, knowing they will participate in the next stage of the tournament, while in all likelihood also qualifying for next season's prestigious EPCR Champions Cup.
They can then face Munster at Thomond Park in Limerick on Saturday (kick-off 8.45pm) without the pressure of seeking victory, which could be a boon to their confidence and gameplan.