Lions will fight to keep Franco Smith

Coach Swys de Bruin has expressed the Lions’ determination to retain the services of Franco Mostert beyond the 2018 season.

The Bok lock is contracted to the Golden Lions Rugby Union until the end of next year’s Super Rugby campaign. Reports suggest he is sought-after by at least six English clubs, including Gloucester, who are coached by former Lions coach Johan Ackermann.

However, De Bruin dismissed the overseas clubs’ attempts to lure the lock away.

‘Last year Brive or someone did the same thing but he stayed. He is an unbelievably valuable player and it makes sense to have someone of his calibre on your payroll. But we definitely want to keep him.

‘We might have to rob a bank or something, but I know from the top – [president] Kevin de Klerk and [CEO] Rudolf Straeuli – love Franco and we will fight for him.’

FEATURE: Mostert’s locked and loaded