Proud Lions lick their wounds

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Ivan van Rooyen and Francke Horn rued the accuracy but not the heart of the Lions, after Leinster ended the Pride's unbeaten start to the 2024-25 Vodacom URC in Dublin.

In a round 6 clash of the competition's two remaining undefeated teams on Saturday, log leaders Leinster tamed the Lions in what ended as a comfortable 24-6 victory for Leo Cullen’s charges at the Aviva Stadium.

Van Rooyen’s men now take a four-week break before resuming their URC campaign against former champions Munster in Limerick on 30 November.

Speaking post-match from the Irish capital on Saturday, head coach Van Rooyen and skipper Horn reflected on a night where effort and intent were there, but accuracy was missing.

"Work rate and character, that was all good and fine; the guys really got stuck in out there but accuracy was a bit lacking from our side,” Van Rooyen told reporters.

"We probably lost the small battles tonight and not the big ones," he added, noting the experience was a valuable lesson for the team.

"Apart from a coach or two, this was the first time any of us has played at the Aviva Stadium," he added. “I think as an occasion it was a nice first for us, but I don’t think that was the reason why we couldn't execute or get playing the way we wanted to.

RECAP: Leinster tame tenacious Lions

"We kind of pushed for a bonus point in the last few minutes… instead of playing for territory, we took one or two chances in our own half, which they capitalised on.”

Saturday’s defeat capped a three-game European tour for the Lions, which included wins over Zebre and the Dragons. Despite the loss, Van Rooyen saw positives, stating, "In the bigger picture, it was tough and it was tight but a good opportunity for us to get close as a group.

“To get two out of three wins [on tour]… we’ve got a lot to fix but a lot to be proud of."

Horn, meanwhile, felt the Lions held their own against the league front-runners, adding, "On the field, it never felt like we were out of the game or that the occasion was too big for us.

“Like coach said, a few silly errors and one or two moments that we didn't win when we were in their half.

“They’re a Test-quality team so when they put you under pressure in your half and you try a few things, they will capitalise on that. It's really good lessons for us playing Munster in four weeks' time, in similar conditions and also a good Test-quality side."

Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images

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