News

McGeechan rallies Lions

October 22 2008

Ian McGeechan has rallied the Lions for their 2009 South Africa tour by declaring: "We've got seven Six Nations games and three World Cup finals."

The 10-match expedition might not begin until next May, but head coach McGeechan has already finalised his coaching support staff.

Wales' Grand Slam masterminds of last season - Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley - have landed the key respective coaching roles of forwards, defence and attack.

And a significant feelgood factor exists - unlike before Sir Clive Woodward's failed 2005 trip to New Zealand - about a tour that promises to recapture the Lions ethos.

The Lions will tackle world champions South Africa in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg next June and July, with McGeechan hoping to emulate his memorable Test series triumph of 1997.

But seven other games also have to be safely negotiated, with the build-up now firmly under way.

"The Lions is still probably the most important thing for a player, even in this professional age," said Head Coach McGeechan.

"That is why I will get the most satisfaction, if I see a group of winning players, because I know how much it means to them.

"As a group, we've got to be a strong group, irrespective of the rugby. We need to have a clear direction.

"It is as much about the chemistry as the talent that actually creates the right Lions environment. The selection of players is key in that."

McGeechan plans to identify a group of up to 65 Lions candidates in January, of which he expects up to half a dozen to be realistic captaincy material.

But the final squad - probably 35 or 36 players - will not be paraded before mid-April.

"I have left the final selection much later," he added.

"The first 25 players could be relatively easy to select - it's the last 10 or 12 that I believe make the difference.

"What I wanted to do is give a month after the Six Nations where we can collectively target the last 10 players out of 20, or 25, that we are looking at."

In addition to the coaching roles, Wasps' influence is extended by back-room appointments Craig White (conditioning coach) and Rhys Long (performance analyst).

Gatland was succeeded by McGeechan as Wasps rugby director; Edwards is current coach of the Londoners; while former Wales captain Howley starred as scrum-half, scoring the winning try in their 2004 Heineken Cup final triumph.

"I think the strength I hope it brings is uniformity of thinking, and the trust and honesty that goes with it," said McGeechan.

"We've got seven Six Nations games and three World Cup finals ahead of us.

"There will be no innuendo or hiding in corners or whispers. If we think something is wrong in that team, it will be out in the open like a shot. The players deserve that.

"I wouldn't have contemplated this if I wasn't coaching at Wasps.

"You can't take away the active enjoyment of working with the players - that's the biggest thing."

McGeechan, who is being funded by the Lions this year, will continue to balance their priorities with those of his club.

But given the importance of McGeechan wearing his Lions hat during the November Tests and forthcoming Six Nations campaign, he revealed Wasps will soon add an overseas coach to their staff, effectively as cover.

For Edwards, the step from Wasps, via Wales, to the Lions was widely anticipated by his many admirers.

"I feel I have been very fortunate as a coach to have worked with so many determined players. It's all credit to the players I've worked with," he said.

"We've got seven weeks to gel in South Africa, become unified and beat the world champions.

"On paper, it looks an impossible task, but it's not, hopefully because of the unity among the people who are put together to achieve that task.

"With the standard of players we will be coaching, they don't want to be told what to do all the time, but I hope they want to be led at other times."

"It's not always about having the best players, but having the best team," added New Zealander Gatland.

"The Welsh players who get selected will probably have to fight a bit harder than everyone else.

"They will not be in because I am the Wales coach. Players have to thoroughly earn the jersey."