Ruthless McGeechan epitomises Lions concept

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) - Once a Lion, always a Lion has been Ian McGeechan's mantra but that "lifelong bond" is in danger of becoming a literal truth for the 61-year-old Scot as he plans his seventh tour in a 35-year association.

There is certainly no doubt that when he leads the British and Irish Lions to South Africa next year he will know the routine.

The Scot played an influential role in the Lions' crushing series victory over the Springboks as a player in 1974 and returned as coach in 1997 to mastermind an arguably more impressive series win over the then-world champions.

In between he also played four tests in New Zealand in 1977, coached the team to a series victory over Australia in 1989 and was desperately close to the greatest scalp of all when his 1993 team controversially lost 2-1 to the All Blacks.

Throw in a stint as assistant to Clive Woodward on the 2005 tour of New Zealand and a clear picture emerges of a man who has come to epitomise the Lions concept during four decades that have seen seismic changes in rugby.

He won 32 caps for Scotland, coached his country, including to the 1990 grand slam, coached Northampton and is currently director of rugby at Wasps but it is his connection with the Lions that will be his greatest legacy.

HUGE PRIVILEGE

"He encapsulates the spirit and ethos of the Lions - to have him wearing the tracksuit is a huge privilege and it's a joy to me to be able to share those seven weeks with him," said Gerald Davies, who will manage the 2009 tour.