Lucky No.7 for McGeechan
Wed, 14 May 2008 11:50
The Lion king: Ian McGeechan
It's official. Ian McGeechan will lead the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. It was confirmed on Wednesday when the Wasps Director of Rugby, McGeechan, was unveiled as the head coach at a media conference in London.
The 61-year-old Scot masterminded a famous series victory over the Springboks in 1997 and this will be his fourth Lions tour as head coach.
McGeechan has enjoyed a long and successful association with the Lions and has been involved in six previous tours - in 1974 and 1977 as a player, in 2005 an assistant coach and in 1987, 1993 and 1997 as head coach.
Lions chairman Andy Irvine said: "A lions tour is very special - even in the modern game they're as popular as ever.
"Some years ago there was doubt they would even continue but I'm delighted to say they're as popular as ever.
"Many players have said playing for the Lions is the highlight of their career. And we expect 50,000 fans to travel to South Africa.
"The 2005 tour was very disappointing as we lost the Test series 3-0 so it's vital we have the best leadership for to achieve success in South Africa.
"Once Gerald Davies was appointed tour manager all our attentions focused on who would be the best coach. From day one McGeechan was in our thoughts.
"We wanted someone with a special bond with the Lions. We looked elsewhere as well but time and again we kept going back to Ian.
"He's the most successful coach in Lions history."
McGeechan, currently Wasps' Director of Rugby, beat off the challenge of South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White - who had expressed an interest in the job.
Wales coach Watrren Gatland and Wasps coach Shaun Edwards are favourites to join the Lions' coaching team.
McGeechan revealed he will be assembling his backroom staff as soon as possible.
"Gerald and I will spend some time together and talk things through," McGeechan said.
"I hope that over the next two months the management structure will be in place. From now we'll be working very hard in that respect."
The Lions have 10 matches scheduled in South Africa, including Tests against the Springboks in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg between June 20 and July 4.
Other fixtures include appointments with the Emerging Springboks, Western Province and the Sharks and the tour opens on May 30 against a Highveld XV in Rustenburg.
The 2009 Itinerary is as follows:
30 May: v Highveld XV, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
3 June: v Golden Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
6 June: v Cheetahs, Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
10 June: v Sharks, Absa Stadium, Durban
13 June: v Western Province, Newlands, Cape Town
16/17 June: v Coastal XV, TBC
20 June: 1st Test v South Africa,
Absa Stadium, Durban
23 June: v Emerging Springboks, Newlands, Cape Town
27 June: 2nd Test v South Africa, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
4 July: 3rd Test v South Africa, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
