In fairness it’s very hard to question Geech!
As a two-time tourist, in 1974 and 1977, and a four-time head coach, Ian McGeechan is Mr. Lions.
Writing for the Telegraph, he has selected his ultimate XV of players he coached with the side.
However, there are three rather surprising Irish omissions, with Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, and Keith Wood all missing out.
BOD is the least shocking, as McGeechan coached another legend in Jeremy Guscott on three tours, while the English centre had series-winning moments in 1989 and 1997.
On his selection, McGeechan says: “This man was just exceptional in his own way and I feel I am being unfair to Roberts and O’Driscoll. Alan Bateman deserves credit for his performances in 1997 as well.”
He also opts for England’s Brian Moore over Wood.
Again, McGeechan coached Moore twice and Wood just once, while the Irishman’s best showing came in 2001 under Grahan Henry.
‘Geech’ wrote: “It is a coin-toss between Brian and Keith Wood. I am having them both, with Brian starting and Keith coming off the bench. They both shaped the respective characters of the tours they went on.”
The most surprising choice is Simon Shaw over Paul O’Connell.
The English second row is another who had the good fortune of being under McGeechan’s tutelage twice, but the Munster legend was Lions captain in 2009 and led magnificently against a world class South African side.
On Shaw, McGeechan argues: “I cannot forget how good Shaw was in 2009 against probably the two best second-rows in world rugby at the time − Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. Back in 1997 he was outside the Test squad and he trained brilliantly to prepare his team-mates. He was on his third tour in 2009, and was brilliant when the opportunity finally arrived.”
15. Neil Jenkins
14. Ieuan Evans
13. Jerry Guscott
12. Scott Gibbs
11. Rory Underwood
10. Gregor Townsend
9. Matt Dawson
1. Tom Smith
2. Brian Moore
3. Jason Leonard
4. Martin Johnson (captain)
5. Simon Shaw
6. Lawrence Dallaglio
7. Richard Hill
8. Dean Richards
Replacements
Keith Wood, David Sole, Paul Wallace, Paul O’Connell, Mike Teague, Mike Phillips, Brian O’Driscoll, Gavin Hastings
