Lions without Ntlabakanye against Ospreys after prop cops three-match ban

The Lions will have to factor in the absence of tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye when they name their match-day 23 to take on the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

A three-match ban following his red card for a dangerous tackle on Connacht loose forward Conor Oliver in Galway last Saturday sees the Lions No 3 sit out the trip to Wales this weekend, the Challenge Cup last 16 match against Benetton in Italy next weekend and, if they don't reach the Challenge Cup quarter-final, the visit from Leinster to Ellis Park that follows will count as the third.

Ntlabakanye was shown red by referee Craig Evans in the 15th minute of the match in Ireland after he charged out the blocks to make the tackle, which resulted in a high-impact collision with Oliver's jawline, although the Lions player was almost on his knees as he made the tackle.