Under-fire Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen hopes a chat with Stormers rival John Dobson helps inspire a similar change in fortunes for his struggling Joburg outfit.

Saturday’s 32-10 victory for the Stormers at Ellis Park flipped the script for the men from the Cape, having suffered a heavy defeat at home by the Lions at the back end of 2021.

But the weekend’s defeat made it four on the trot for Van Rooyen’s charges and leaves them in 14th spot in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

“Speaking to John Dobson after the game he described having a similar experience to what I am feeling. I had a good discussion with him around how they felt then [after we beat them] and how they are feeling now,” Van Rooyen said.

“I think that’s a good example that our problems are fixable and after we gave them a good hiding there, they haven’t lost since.

“We have to take the positives from what is working and we have to fix it through training and our responsibility and through honesty and one or two personal changes.”

With a week off to regroup before heading to Leinster on 25 February, the Lions boss is considering possible tactical and personnel shake-ups.

“There’s stuff that’s improving on a weekly basis and then there’s stuff that’s not improving,” he added. “Sometimes it’s a system-based thing that’s holding you back but, on other occasions, you need to sit back and assess whether it’s a coaching or a player element.

“It’s midway in our season and we have a few days to really reflect on what’s working for us. I don’t think it’s a bad time for us for a bit of change, whether it’s player driven or a style-of-play issue.  It is fair to say that one of those things should change.”