Rugby-McGeechan to lead Lions to South Africa again

LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) - Ian McGeechan, the man who led the British and Irish Lions to their monumental series victory over South Africa in 1997, has been handed the chance to repeat the achievement against the world champions in 2009.

As was widely expected, the vastly experienced former Scotland coach was unveiled on Wednesday as the head coach for the three-test, 10-match tour from May 30-July 4 next year.

"The 2005 tour was a disappointment and we have a lot to make up for so it is vital we have the best leadership available," selector Andy Irvine told a news conference.

McGeechan has become synonymous with the Lions after a more than 30-year association as player and coach and next year's trip will be his seventh as coach and player.

He coached them to series victories over Australia in 1989 and then-world champions South Africa in 1997 and came desperately close to beating New Zealand in 1993.

He was also an assistant to Clive Woodward on the 2005 New Zealand tour, making a success of the midweek team in an otherwise disappointing tour.

As a player, the former Scotland centre featured in all four tests of the 1974 series victory over South Africa and all four against New Zealand three years later.

"The Lions are special, they are unique and you can't compare it with anything else you do as a player or coach and I have a very strong philosophy and principle about what they are trying do," McGeechan said.

UNIQUE CHALLENGE

"Having had a scent of it again three years ago I realised how important it is to me and is to players.

"It is a unique challenge, you need a tight group, players who can work together, coaches who can work together, with everybody getting the opportunity to make their mark.

"The fact that South Africa are world champions again makes it a very special tour. It will be three World Cup finals and will be a massive, massive challenge."

Tour manager Gerald Davies said he was honoured to be partnered by "one of the greatest names ever to be associated with the Lions".

"He encapsulates the spirit of the Lions - to have him wearing the tracksuit is a huge privilege and it is a joy to me to be able to share those seven weeks and the time leading up to it with him," Davies said.

As for the concept of the team made up of the best of English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh rugby, Davies, a player on the 1968 and 1971 tours, added: "The Lions are the one last great rugby adventure.

"We must recognise the uniqueness of playing in one jersey with one philosophy and one style which represents what the Lions mean. It is something for us in these islands to treasure."

McGeechan is popular and widely respected throughout the game, not least in South Africa where in 1997 he led his unfancied team to a famous 2-1 series victory over a powerful Springbok side who had won the World Cup two years before.

One of his master strokes then was the choice of Martin Johnson as captain, while his efforts to ensure total integration within the side was widely credited with being key in their success.

He said on Wednesday that, after the bloated tour of 2005 when 51 players and 26 backroom staff travelled to New Zealand, he would return to a more managable party next year.

"That unity and ability to draw together is critical," he said. "And this time the players will be sharing rooms!"

McGeechan and Davies said they would discuss assistants over the coming months and there was no shortlist at present.

(Editing by Miles Evans)