LEGEND: McGeechan Ranks His Five Best Lions of all-time

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.

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

The prop was part of the British & Irish Lions squad that won the test series during their 1997 tour of South Africa. Leonard played for the Lions on three tours, gaining five additional caps.

McGeechan said: "Leonard has to be in there for me. I've often called him the ultimate Lion for not what he gave behind the scenes as well as on the field."

DID YOU KNOW? Leonard's lengthy career straddled both the amateur and professional eras and he had a job as a carpenter.

The legendary fullback earned 55 caps for Wales, five as captain, and eight for the British and Irish Lions.

McGeechan said: "He had a big impact.on my game in Test matches. There's never been a player quote him since."

DID YOU KNOW? Williams chose not to go on the 1977 British Lions tour to New Zealand after being advised by his consultant to focus on his medical career

Johnson was a late call up to the 1993 British Lions tour to New Zealand. In 1997 he was named as captain for the victorious British Lions tour to South Africa, in 2001 he became the first man to captain the Lions twice as he led the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

McGeechan said: “I put his name down and moved on. It was as simple as that. Exceptional."

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson comes from a sporting family. His great-grandfather was a wrestler

The scrum-half played ten times for the British and Irish Lions, playing for the 1971 Lions team that was the only such team to win a series in New Zealand, and for the unbeaten 1974 side in South Africa.

McGeechan said: "I think for me being around in in the 70s was a privilege,..hewas the best player I ever saw,"

DID YOU KNOW? In a UK poll conducted by Channel 4 in 2002 British rugby supporters voted Edwards's historic try for the Barbarians No. 20 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.