YESTERDAY WE LEARNED details of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2013.
Today it’s clear that the man that leads them there could very well be Ian McGeechan.
Tour manager Andy Irvine has indicated that though Ireland coach Declan Kidney is in the running for the prestigious post, Geech is ‘in the frame’ too.
With Wales boss Warren Gatland and Scotland’s Andy Robinson also in the mix, Lions chiefs will make their decision in the spring.
“Ian McGeechan has not ruled himself out entirely,” Irvine told reporters (see the Mirror), ”He did indicate that 2009 would be his last tour, but he has said nothing definitive and he has to be an option.
“We have a completely open mind for the 2013 tour on who it (coach) will be. Whoever the coach is will be taking a year out. He does not have to come from the home unions and we could look worldwide, but ideally the head coach will come from a union associated with the Lions.
“It is such a highly-prized job that we will not be short of candidates. We would like Declan Kidney, Andy Robinson and Warren Gatland to all be available,” he added.
Tour
The first test has been scheduled for 22 June 2013 in Brisbane with the second test taking place in Melbourne a week later.
The third and final test will be played in Sydney on 6 July, marking the end of a four-week blitz which will see the touring side play a total of nine games in six cities.
McGeechan has been head coach on four Tours – plus one as a player – and is currently part of the set-up at Bath.
