Sir Ian McGeechan, the venerable maestro behind multiple British and Irish Lions tours, has finally unveiled his dream team from the cadre of players he's coached, making headlines not just for his selections but for the conspicuous absence of any Irish starters. His ultimate line-up, heavily skewed with English talent in the form of ten players, also features three Welsh and two Scottish players, leaving the Irish to settle for bench spots.
McGeechan, who wore the player's jersey in 1974 and 1977 before taking up the coach's mantle in 1989, 1993, 1997, and 2009, plus a stint as assistant coach in 2005, has had a storied career with the Lions. His selection reflects a deep pool of talent from these years, though it notably sidelines players from the Emerald Isle in the starting fifteen.
"I found picking my all-time best Lions 23 an extremely difficult task, even after writing down the most influential performers,"
McGeechan admitted in his Telegraph column. He elaborated on the challenges of such a selection, given the rich history and the high caliber of players he had the privilege to coach.Among the chosen, Neil Jenkins, Ieuan Evans, and Rory Underwood form a formidable back three, lauded for their critical performances under pressure. The midfield duo features Jerry Guscott, celebrated for his series-winning exploits, alongside the "exceptional" Scott Gibbs.
In the half-back slots, Gregor Townsend and Matt Dawson were praised for their impactful play, with Dawson noted for his
"unbelievable impact."
The forward pack is an English domain, with Tom Smith being the lone Scot. Martin Johnson, tagged as "the ultimate Test-match animal," leads the team with his renowned ferocity and leadership.The English dominance extends to the back-row where Lawrence Dallaglio, Richard Hill, and Dean Richards bring power and emotion, pivotal in any test match scenario. Despite the inclusion of four Irishmen on the bench, the main squad's composition has stirred up discussions, spotlighting McGeechan's selection biases and tactical preferences.
This lineup not only celebrates the legends of past tours but also sparks debate over national representation and the dynamics of coaching decisions in assembling a team not just of skilled players, but of match-winners and game-changers under the unique pressures of Lions tours.