Lions remain mindful of McGeechan

Leeds-born McGeechan had declared the epic series defeat by South Africa in 2009 would be his last in the post, but his name remains synonymous with the Lions following seven tours as a player or coach.

Tour manager AndyIrvine insisted the 63-year-old, currently Bath's performance director, would be an outstanding candidate if he could be tempted to reverse his decision.

"McGeechan said after South Africa that he wouldn't be interested in coaching, but he said that after three other tours as well," he said.

"Geech is back in the fold at Bath. He doesn't quite have a tracksuit on every day but he's still very much in touch with the game.

"We've very much got an open mind on Geech – his record speaks for itself, he's Lions through to the core and did a fantastic job on the last tour.

"He has to be a consideration. If he rules himself out I wouldn't want to put any pressure on him. Whoever coaches the Lions has to want to do it, but if Ian throws his hat into the ring we'd seriously have to look at it.

"The last tour got an awful lot of things right and that should be the way forward."

McGeechan hinted last night that his determination to end his Lions association is already wavering.

"Your enthusiasm for the Lions doesn't change," he told the Daily Telegraph website.

"I've yet to speak to Andy about any of this. I need to have those sort of conversations. I know what I said at the time but here we are, talking about it, and it all starts to look exciting again."

McGeechan's strongest rival for the post would be Warren Gatland, though a significant obstacle would have to be overcome for the Wales coach to be appointed. Irvine deems it unlikely that any of the coaches in the 2013 Six Nations will be considered due to the demands of the Lions.

For Gatland to be involved a break clause in his contract with the Welsh Rugby Union, which was yesterday extended until 2015, would have to be negotiated.

There will be nine fixtures on the 2013 tour, starting with a curtain-raiser against the Barbarians in Hong Kong, and the Lions expect to face at least four of five Australian Super 15 sides.

Gatland yesterday warned Wales players plying their trade in England they face missing out on a World Cup spot due to Premier Rugby's "ridiculous" decision not to release them until August 4, the latest date allowed, next year.