Lions eager to rectify mistakes in URC opener against Leinster

Lions coach Ivan Van Rooyen says his team have learned a lot from a breakout campaign last season and are ready to start their new URC campaign with a bang on Saturday. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

The Lions are eager to banish their struggles from the end of the last United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign and start the new one on a high note when they take on defending champions, Leinster, in their opening match of the season at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 1:30pm).

It was a breakout campaign for the Lions last season, with them reaching the URC playoffs and qualifying for the Champions Cup for the first time, but they ended off on a three-match losing run.