From the Touchlines: Geechs the right man for the Lions
Wasps boss Ian McGeechan was named British and Irish Lions coach today (Wednesday), beating the rest of his peers to the post as expected - and it's a decision that few can dispute.
"Geechs", as he is better known, is synonymous with the Lions as both a player and a coach. He first made his mark as a centre in the three Tests against South Africa before returning to tour New Zealand in 1977, when he played in all the Tests once more.
But it's as Lions coach that the 61-year-old has become better known. He led the side to series victories in Australia in 1989 and South Africa in 1997 and narrowly lost out in New Zealand in 1993, which is hardly a blight on his copybook. In fact, his own blemish is the previous tour to All Blacks territory in 2005 when the Lions were completely overwhelmed but, in his defence, he was only an assistant to tour boss Sir Clive Woodward.
The Lions chief needs to be a man motivator, something McGeechan has become renowned for during his lengthy career, and uniter of nations, which he has been far more accomplished at than any of his predecessors with the Lions. With him at the helm and Shaun Edwards destined to be his sidekick - an even stronger motivational force than his Wasps co-worker - then the Lions have a monumental shot at getting back to winning ways when they travel to South Africa next year.
It's just the small matter of who he takes with him. Let the speculation begin...
Is Ian McGeechan the right man to lead the Lions? And who would be your Lions XV to take on the Springboks? We want to hear your views so get posting below...
if he can make balls levitate like he has in that picture then a series win over south africa's a formallity surely!!!!!
Posted by: Petey | 16 May 2008 at 11:22
DOn't spose there's any chance he'll be given brian ashton a call to come along will there. shame really...
Posted by: bathBonanza | 16 May 2008 at 07:27
Geech is the man. Gatland & Edwards will probably make up the coaching team (wales didn't want them taking the lead role).
Hopefully it won't just be a team of englishmen this time round. think "sir" clive proved what a disaster that can be previously.
Posted by: daftjock | 15 May 2008 at 07:50
Right man for me and already excited about the tour. Not sure what it is about the Lions but really gets the pulse racing.
Loving the idea of O'Driscoll playing alongside the likes of James Hook, Martyn Williams and maybe even Danny Cipriani.
Hopefully they'll get united enough to wipe the Springboks off the park. Always good to beat those guys.
Posted by: SCOTTY | 15 May 2008 at 07:33
Not sure I fancy the Lions' chances against South Africa. I reckon they're an even better side than when they won the World Cup.
Posted by: Gerry | 14 May 2008 at 21:34
Top man all round. Wonder who he'll get as his skipper. Brian O'Driscoll maybe?
Posted by: Rory | 14 May 2008 at 15:50
McGeechan's the man. I went to the Lions tour to South Africa in 1997 as a fan and got close enough at the final Test to hear a McGeechan pep talk. The guy's inspirational and, if he can't put together a Lions win there a second time around, then no one can. Almost makes me tempted to book my flights to South Africa a second time...?
Posted by: Dan Warren | 14 May 2008 at 14:24
What about Warren Gatland - isn't he the man of the moment with what he's doing with Wales?!
Posted by: Taff | 14 May 2008 at 11:29