PREVIEW

BRITISH LIONS

The 2009 Six Nations will have the added spicy ingredient of a British Lions tour to South Africa just around the corner with players jostling for a place on the plane with Ian McGeechan’s squad

As if there wasn’t enough riding on this Six Nations, an invitational Highveld XV will be

waiting round the corner to welcome the Lions to South Africa in the opening match of this summer’s tour of the current world champions. The home nations will be under close scrutiny from head coach Ian McGeechan & co. as they battle it out this spring. “There are some young players who have put themselves forward. What you are hoping is that the senior players step up in the Six Nations and the younger players show the consistency you need,” says McGeechan, who is head coach for the fourth time.

The 2009 Lions face a tougher test than their 1997 counterparts: not that it was straight forward for Martin Johnson’s team. Similarly, they faced a side fresh from winning the World Cup two years previously but this Springbok team will not underestimate the tourists. They will be rested, still in the dawn of their season, confident, having inflicted a record defeat upon England at Twickenham in November, but most importantly, desperate for revenge for 1997. The Springboks have only lost three Lions Test series at home in history and they do not like it.

Consistency is the key for McGeechan. He can ill afford to tour with players who will take time to find their form and fitness. With the detrimental effects of oversized parties clear from the disappointing tours so far this decade, McGeechan will pick just 35 players in April. Sir Clive Woodward failed to take heed of Graham Henry’s warning against extensive numbers travelling, but following the success of 1997, it is clear �

CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES / 51

LIVING WITH

THE LIONS