THREE WELSH BACKS... BUT NO FORWARDS IN MCGEECHAN’S LINE-UP
WITH four Lions tours as head coach and two as a player, accruing eight caps, Sir Ian McGeechan has done it, got the T-shirt and worn it threadbare.
He’s the leading authority on the Lions, having been the head honcho in 1989, ‘93, ‘97 and 2009 as well as being part of the 1974 and ‘77 touring party.
So his Lions XV to take on world champions South Africa in the opening Test at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium carries a lot more weight than other picks.
And ‘Geech’ has put his Lions neck on the block and done just that.
His selections have a few eyebrow raisers, featuring three from his homeland Scotland, three from Wales, two Irishmen and seven England players.
The England contingent include his skipper for the tour, Maro Itoje.
Because it is McGeechan, Lions coach Warren Gatland is bound to view his selection with interest.
With Itoje wearing the captain’s armband, McGeechan can’t find any place in the team for Welsh warrior Alun Wyn Jones, having Ireland’s James Ryan as the other second row in his starting XV.
He has no Welsh players in his forward line-up at all, with the likes of Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau joining Test skipper Jones on the Lions sidelines.
While overlooking the Welsh pack, McGeechan does pick two Scottish forwards – prop Rory Sutherland and back-rower Jamie Ritchie.
The three McGeechan Welsh representatives come in the back division, with Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies and Gareth Davies chosen.
The scrum-half slot looks to be one begging for a player to step up to the plate as last week, Irish legend Brian
O’Driscoll had another Welshman – Tomos Williams – playing there.
Explaining his picks, McGeechan told the Sunday Telegraph: “You need leaders across the field.
“Players who will stand up and be counted. My starting XV reflects that. Hogg at full-back, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell, James Ryan, Jamie George. And Maro Itoje as captain.
“I think the Lions could really build a head of steam under him. He’s a winner and a natural leader.
“Three Scots in my starting XV might raise eyebrows – Gats only took two to New Zealand in total, as I did to South Africa in 2009 – but you couldn’t argue against any of them.
“Scotland were in great form this year. And this exercise is ultimately about form right now.
“Plenty can, and will change over the next 12 months I’m sure. I don’t think I correctly predicted, at the beginning of any of my tours, the starting Test XV.
“It’s one reason why the challenge of the Lions is so unique and different. But I believe this team would pack a punch in South Africa.
“You need leaders across the field. Players who will stand up and be counted.”
SIR IAN MCGEECHAN’S LIONS STARTING XV: Stuart Hogg (Scotland); Anthony Watson (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Manu Tuilagi (England), Liam Williams (Wales); Owen Farrell (England), Gareth Davies (Wales); Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Jamie George (England), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England, captain), James Ryan (Ireland), Jamie Ritchie (Scotland), Tom Curry (England), Billy Vunipola (England).