The Lions will take the field in France on Saturday with heavy hearts, playing in memory of a teammate they lost just one day earlier.

South African lock Hyron Andrews died Friday, Oct. 16, at age 31 while the Lions were in France preparing for their Investec Champions Cup opener against Stade Rochelais. The players and staff have decided to proceed with Saturday's match at Stade Marcel-Deflandre in his honor.

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The Lions confirmed Andrews' passing, while La Rochelle announced that a minute of silence will be observed before kickoff. Andrews, a former Sharks and Sale Sharks player, had recently joined the Lions.

Chris Smith captains the visitors at fly-half, with Morné van den Berg at scrum-half and Sikhumbuzo Notshe at No. 8. La Rochelle is led by Grégory Alldritt, with Antoine Hastoy and Davit Niniashvili among its starters.

Here are the confirmed lineups, kickoff details and how to watch.

La Rochelle vs. Lions Kickoff Time

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026

• Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. ET

• Venue: Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle, France

• Competition: Investec Champions Cup, Round 1

• Pool: 2

How To Watch La Rochelle vs. Lions

Stade Rochelais vs. 10bet Lions will stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 17. Fans can watch live or on demand with a FloRugby subscription.

Stade Rochelais Starting Lineup vs. Lions

1. Alexandre Kaddouri

2. Pierre Bourgarit

3. Karl Sorin

4. Charles Kante Samba

5. Watisoni Waqanisaravi

6. Theo McFarland

7. Oscar Jegou

8. Grégory Alldritt (c)

9. Valentin Bouju

10. Antoine Hastoy

11. Davit Niniashvili

12. Jules Favre

13. Semi Lagivala

14. Tevita Ofa

15. Sacha Elissalde

La Rochelle Replacements

16. Tolu Latu

17. Louis Penverne

18. Aleksandre Kuntelia

19. Salmaan Moerat

20. Paul Boudehent

21. Matthias Haddad

22. Dillyn Leyds

23. Avakuki Niusalelekitoga

10bet Lions Starting Lineup vs. Stade Rochelais

1. Boan Venter

2. Morné Brandon

3. Conraad van Vuuren

4. Etienne Oosthuizen

5. Ruan Delport

6. Siba Mahashe

7. Siba Qoma

8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe

9. Morné van den Berg

10. Chris Smith (c)

11. Erich Cronje

12. Bronson Mills

13. Henco van Wyk

14. Kelly Mpeku

15. Quan Horn

Lions Replacements

16. Tiaan Lange

17. SJ Kotze

18. RF Schoeman

19. Dylan Sjoblom

20. Batho Hlekani

21. Nico Steyn

22. Richard Kriel

23. Boeta Chamberlain

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