Sir Ian McGeechan is better qualified than most to give his opinion on the best players to don the famous British & Irish Lions red shirt.
The former Scotland international was in charge of the Lions in 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2009 (as well as coaching the midweek games upon Clive Woodward’s invitation in 2005) to varying degrees of success, so has a large pool to choose from when it comes to selecting his all-time XV from the squads that he has coached.
Let’s take a look at the five greatest British & Irish Lions of all-time, picked by McGeechan.
5. Willie John McBride
The legendary Ireland captain played 63 Tests for Ireland including eleven as captain, and toured with the Lions five times; a record that gave him 17 Lions Test caps. He also captained the most successful ever Lions side, which toured South Africa in 1974.
McGeechan said: “He was my captain and was so instrumental in that your in 74 in South Africa.”
DID YOU KNOW? McBride was awarded a CBE in the 2019 New Year Honours list for services to Rugby Union