McGeechan calls for time

BRITISH & Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan has launched a plea for the tourists to be given the time to prepare properly for future tours so they can remain competitive.
McGeechan believes the current trip to South Africa has resulted in ‘some of the best rugby ever,’ despite his side’s series defeat - the Lions complete their three-match Test series against South Africa Johannesburg on Saturday (2pm).
McGeechan said officials from the home unions and domestic competitions must adjust the season to assist the Lions in future tours.
McGeechan would like to see the Lions given the same priority as a World Cup.
“If they give the Lions a fair crack, the Test series will always be very meaningful,” McGeechan said.
“I just wish more of these people who don’t want to make time for the Lions would actually come out and experience a tour. I don’t think they understand the impact. For the players they represent, they should make it work. If you speak to any player in Britain and Ireland, this is where they want to be and the jersey they want to wear.
“Somehow, going forward, they have got to make that easier to happen and if you do that you will probably make the preparation easier to win a Test series.
“That is to everybody’s advantage, whether it is Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. The two biggest things in the international calendar are the World Cup and Lions tours. If we could respect that, the preparation would help the next coach.”
Meanwhile, injured centre Brian O’Driscoll has described Peter De Villiers as a ‘disgrace’ for defending Schalk Burger in the wake of the eye-gouging incident during last weekend’s second Test.
De Villiers did eventually apologise for Burger’s actions and the flanker was suspended for eight weeks.

Colm Kinsella