Lions lock Hyron Andrews was remembered ahead of the team’s Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle in France on Saturday evening, following his sudden death earlier on Friday.

Image: EPCR

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen says the extraordinary outpouring of support after Hyron Andrews's death was a fitting reflection of a man whose humility and gentle nature brought people together, while the decision to play against La Rochelle spoke volumes about the team's character.

The Lions lost 31-14 to La Rochelle in their Champions Cup clash in France on Saturday, just a day after the sudden death of Andrews. But the result was secondary to an emotionally draining weekend in which the rugby community rallied around the grieving Johannesburg side.

For Van Rooyen, the world's appreciation of the Lions’ decision to honour Andrews by taking the field was particularly meaningful.

“The responses from all over the world to the team’s decision to play speak to the man Hyron was,” he said.

“He was a humble, gentle guy who people gravitated towards. He could pull people closer together.”

The decision to play was also a testament to the close-knit nature of the Lions squad, who chose to honour their teammate by carrying on despite their grief.

“The team’s decision to play also speaks to the character of the team, the deep care for each other. The willingness to sacrifice self for a greater good,” said Van Rooyen.

The support they received in La Rochelle made an immense difference during an incredibly difficult time. Van Rooyen was full of praise for the hotel staff, who went above and beyond to look after the Lions, as well as the French club’s leadership and players.

“The hotel staff were unbelievable the whole week; they are truly world-class,” he said.

On Friday, the day Andrews died, La Rochelle owner Vincent Merling, CEO Pierre Venayre and head coach Ronan O’Gara all visited the Lions’ hotel to offer their support.

Five La Rochelle players also reached out to the grieving South Africans. Springbok prop Salman Moerat, Dillyn Leyds and David Kriel spent the Friday afternoon with the Lions. Local players Paul Boudehent and Matthias Haddad joined them for dinner on Friday and returned after Saturday’s match.

It was a powerful demonstration of compassion from a club preparing to face the Lions on the rugby field, but willing to put the rivalry aside when it mattered most.

The  La Rochelle supporters' response was just as moving, with Van Rooyen describing the respect shown by the crowd and staff as “flabbergasting”. The Lions were met with continuous applause from their arrival in France until their departure, a gesture that left a lasting impression on the coach.

“The continuous applause from arrival to departure is something to be proud of and speaks to the values and culture of the community and the team,” he said.

“The rugby community showed the world what caring and support looks like and should be.”

For all the emotion surrounding the occasion, the Lions still had a contest to play, and Van Rooyen was immensely proud of the character his players showed under such difficult circumstances.

They pushed La Rochelle hard, and in the closing stages there was a moment when they might have given themselves a chance of a close finish.

A disallowed Lions try in the 72nd minute would have brought the visitors to within striking distance at 24-21, according to Van Rooyen.

“I felt we looked physically better than them at that stage. Unfortunately they didn’t award the try and that took the game away from us,” he said.

The Lions must now regroup quickly, with their European tour continuing in Scotland. They are travelling to Edinburgh, where they face a demanding Friday night assignment before taking on Glasgow Warriors the following week.

Both Scottish teams are playing well, and Van Rooyen knows his players will have to summon their competitive edge again.

“We are on the bus on our way to Edinburgh. We have two Friday night games against both Scottish teams, Edinburgh and Glasgow, who are both in good form,” he said.

“We are looking forward to spending quality time together as a team away from home over the next two weeks.”