Lions face baptism of fire in Champions Cup debut

The Lions will have to defy the odds to make a winning start to their Investec Champions Cup campaign when they face French heavyweights La Rochelle on Saturday.

Their historic debut in Europe’s premier club competition comes with one of the toughest assignments imaginable, but Keo and Zels believe the Johannesburg side have an opportunity to earn respect on the international stage.

Speaking on the Keo & Zels Show , Keo was quick to dismiss the Lions’ chances of causing an upset in France.

“They’re not going to win,” he said when asked for his prediction.

Keo believes the Lions must approach their debut campaign with a realistic understanding of the challenges ahead, particularly given the demanding schedule awaiting them.

Their opening fixture against La Rochelle is followed by two additional away matches in the URC, creating a difficult three-week tour that will test their squad depth and resources.

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has spoken about learning from Rassie Erasmus when it comes to squad rotation and management, something Keo believes could influence selection during the overseas trip.

With important domestic fixtures following the La Rochelle encounter, the Lions must carefully balance their European ambitions against the need to remain competitive in the URC.

Zels, however, was slightly more optimistic about their immediate prospects.

While he also expects La Rochelle to win, he believes the Lions could be competitive enough to secure a losing bonus point.

The French side were discussed as approximately 15-point favourites, but Zels suggested their upcoming Top 14 meeting with Bordeaux could influence their selection.

With another significant domestic challenge approaching, La Rochelle might be tempted to rotate some players, potentially opening the door for the visitors.

“I think the Lions are set up to do exactly what the Lions do well, and that’s ambush somebody,” Zels said.

Although he stopped short of predicting a victory, Zels believes the Lions can earn respect and potentially leave France with something to show for their efforts.

Keo remains unconvinced.

He believes their best opportunity to make a major statement will come when they host six-time Champions Cup winners Toulouse at Ellis Park in the second round.

Despite Toulouse’s remarkable European pedigree, Keo boldly predicted that the Lions could upset the French giants in Johannesburg.

His confidence stems partly from the Lions’ performance against the All Blacks earlier this season, when they pushed a strong New Zealand side before eventually falling short.

That encounter demonstrated their ability to challenge elite opposition, particularly when playing with confidence and attacking freedom at home.

While the Lions may not possess the same Test-quality squad depth as the Bulls and Stormers, Keo believes their settled combinations and collective spirit can still make them competitive.

For the Johannesburg franchise, simply qualifying for the Champions Cup represents an important milestone.

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But the ambition goes beyond participation.

The men from Johannesburg want to establish themselves as a respected force in European rugby, and their demanding opening assignment will provide an immediate indication of how far they have progressed.

Both presenters anticipate a difficult afternoon in La Rochelle, but the prospect of a famous victory over Toulouse at Ellis Park offers the Lions an enticing target as they begin their European adventure.