{
  "id": 8943028,
  "title": "Lions boss includes young guns Adams, Felix in URC squad",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/lions-boss-includes-young-guns-adams-felix-in-urc-squad",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T14:48:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/lions-boss-includes-young-guns-adams-felix-in-urc-squad/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Lions have unveiled their United Rugby Championship lineup for the upcoming season, set to commence on Friday. The same roster will also feature in the Champions Cup fixtures that follow. There are no unforeseen selections in the team which comprises youthful centre Ethan Adams, who was still in high school at Grey College the previous year. He made a few appearances in Currie Cup games this season. Another former Grey and SA Schools player, flyhalf/fullback Alzeadon Felix, will also be part of the squad. The other \"Next-Gen\" members are Luke Cannon, JD Hattingh, Cecil Parsons, and James Schnetler. In total, coach Ivan van Rooyen has compiled a squad of 60 players. The Lions will kick off their campaign against the reigning champions, Leinster, at Ellis Park on Saturday at 1:30pm. Coach van Rooyen named the squad just hours after confirming that young scrumhalf Haashim Pead had decided to exit his contract to join the Stormers. Pead will be available immediately for the Cape Town-based team, where he will play until 2030.",
  "summary": "The group consists of 60 players, with their first match this Saturday against the defending champions.",
  "key_points": [
    "Young centre Ethan Adams included in URC squad",
    "Flyhalf Alzeadon Felix part of lineup",
    "60 players named by coach Ivan van Rooyen"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}