"We had a purple patch for ten to 15 minutes on either side of half-time when Richmond couldn't live with us," said director of rugby Mark Ellis, "and I must admit that when we came off I felt we had stopped playing and let them back into the game a bit from 26-6.

"But the video shows we played really well. Richmond are the best team we've played this season, physical and well organised with a good set of forwards, and if their backs had been sharper, they could even have won the game. We had to show our resolve."

Rosslyn Park - old rivals of Lions from their days together in the top two divisions - represent another stiff test for Lions, who are one place above the Londoners in the National Division Three South table in fourth.

They have also won two of their three games, topped by last week's 42-0 victory at Lydney where they scored six converted tries in the first half. Added Ellis: "We've got areas to work on and we certainly need to cut down our penalty count. It will be a difficult game, but we will always score tries with the talent we have in our backs, and that gives the whole team confidence."

Rugby Lions: Goode; Hales, Reed, Moir, Rust; Green, Handley; Tyers, Price, Hadfield, Cheney, Braband, Campton, Nash, Brady.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Rugby Lions 26 Richmond 18

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS