Sir Ian McGeechan has coached some of the biggest names in world rugby whilst carving out legendary status for the Lions.
So to make his Lions dream team from his record four spells at the coaching helm (1989, '93, '97 and 2009) would be feather in the cap for the chosen few.
Here is McGeechan's dream team from his four spells as Lions coach...
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Gavin Hastings (Scotland) - “He was strong under the high ball, could kick the ball a mile and was really strong in the contract, where you could play off him.”
- 14. Ieuan Evans (Wales) - “A favourite of mine who went on three Lions tours in 1989, 1993 and 1997. He was a lethal finisher.”
- 11. Tommy Bowe (Ireland) - “His influence on the games in 2009 was massive. He has speed and power, and of all the wingers I have seen he cuts the best lines and he does it so late, too,”
CENTRE:
- 13. Jeremy Guscott (England) - “He was the runner but had the toughness too,”
- 12. Scott Gibbs (Wales) - “There are not too many backs who have total respect from the forwards, but Gibbsy was one of them. His physical work was huge.”
HALFBACKS:
- 10. Gregor Townsend (Scotland) - “I’ve gone for the ball player. He was one of the most talented fly-halves I ever coached.”
- 9. Matt Dawson (England) - “I have always thought that he was the reason why Jonny Wilkinson played so well for England, simply because of the ball Daws gave him and when he gave it to him.”
FRONT-ROW:
- 1. David Sole (Scotland) - “I remember saying that he would be the prototype for the modern-day prop with his skills and mobility. That has definitely proved to be the case.”
- 2. Brian Moore (England) - “He was a ferocious competitor.”
- 3. Dai Young (Wales) - “He was a real tough nut and he was outstanding in Australia in 1989 when he was still so young.”
SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Martin Johnson (England) - “I put his name down and moved on. It was as simple as that.”
- 5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland) - “In that 2009 series you just saw how good he was; he was world-class.”
BACK-ROW:
- 6. Mike Teague (England) - ‘He simply had a huge impact in 1989.”
- 7. Richard Hill (England) - “He was incredible in 1997. He was a players’ player.”
- 8. Lawrence Dallaglio (England) - “He had the intellect in high pressure situations to do the right thing.”
