News
McGeechan poised to lead Lions
May 13 2008
Wasps boss Ian McGeechan is expected to be confirmed as Head Coach of the 2009 British and Irish Lions - and dissenting voices are impossible to find.
McGeechan is synonymous with the Lions having been involved in a record six tours as a player (1974, 1977), Assistant Coach (2005) and Head Coach (1987, 1993, 1997).
The Scot's seventh would see him lead the Lions' assault on world champions South Africa and attempt a repeat of his famous 1997 triumph over the Springboks.
Without being a slight on McGeechan's own qualities, he was the outstanding candidate in what very quickly became a one-horse race.
Wales' Grand Slam-winning coaching team of Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards could well be appointed assistants but neither were in the running for the top job.
The Welsh Rugby Union had their fingers burned in 2001 when Graham Henry took charge in Australia, a stint which affected his relationship with some Welsh players.
The WRU chose not to nominate their own Head Coach for the Lions role, while England and Ireland have both only recently appointed new men in charge and Scotland's Frank Hadden never entered the equation.
South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White initially voiced an interest in leading the Lions against his own country but 61-year-old McGeechan was always the cast-iron favourite.
"And rightly so," said Lions legend Gareth Edwards, a team-mate of McGeechan's back in 1974.
"He has all the credentials. What is vitally important is that at a time when there are still questions asked about Lions tours - are they necessary? - he knows the very ethos and the meaning of a Lions tour."
Gavin Hastings, captain under McGeechan in 1993, speaks passionately on that subject and is convinced McGeechan can repair an image he believes was tarnished by the 2005 tour.
Three years ago, Sir Clive Woodward was in charge and headed for New Zealand armed with a giant squad, a huge backroom staff and plans to create the blueprint for all future Lions tours.
McGeechan and Gareth Jenkins were unbeaten as midweek coaches - but the All Blacks swept to a 3-0 Test series victory and, in many ways, Hastings is glad they did.
"In 2005 we went a long way towards losing that aura. It became a bit of a circus," he said.
"If that had been the blueprint for success - taking 51 players and 26 backroom staff - then my godfathers!
"It just feels right that in this instance 'Geech' is there. He is a very astute, clever and experienced man. He commands huge respect.
"It's funny. I just smile when the name Ian McGeechan gets mentioned in a Lions context because he has become so synonymous with the Lions."
Another major advantage of selecting McGeechan is that he potentially has a ready-made coaching staff already around him in Edwards and Gatland.
The pair formed a close friendship working together at Wasps and this year made an immediate impact in Wales by winning the Grand Slam.
McGeechan replaced Gatland at Wasps and has forged his own effective working relationship with Edwards.
Double Lion Jason Robinson, whose only experience of McGeechan was on the 2005 tour, is a former Wigan team-mate of Shaun Edwards' and also believes they would be the ideal coaching team.
"Geech has got the passion. You can't play this game without passion," said convert Robinson.
"He really got me going. I didn't know anything about the Lions when I came to rugby union.
"I played for the Lions in rugby league but it is nothing like it. It is such a special occasion. To have someone like him speaking with such authority and passion really got me going.
"Shaun has done exceptionally well in a short space of time with Warren and with Geech.
"The coaches have to get on and if you have three people who already have that bond it will make it much easier."