If any one individual were to symbolise smarter rugby, British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan would be that man.
His relentless drive to mentally and physically outwit opposition all over the world throughout the past four decades has lead to Sir Ian being regarded as one of the finest operators in rugby history.
Sir Ian played at the highest level for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions, whilst teaching Geography at Fir Tree Middle school and holding down a place in the Headingley 1st XV for 15 years. The commitment Sir Ian showed to Headingley was rewarded with a coaching position after a knee injury put an end to his fruitful playing career. This was a natural progression for his analytical rugby brain and the move he made into coaching seemed to be a very natural one.
Sir Ian’s greatest successes on paper have seen him conquer the South African national side with the Lions both as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1997. More recently the state of international rugby was lifted again in South Africa, as his innovative coaching style created what can only be described as absolutely mesmerising moments on the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour.
Sir Ian McGeechan Factfile
Current Coaching Position:
Performance Director, Bath Rugby
Former Coaching Positions:
Director of Rugby, London Wasps
Director of Rugby, Northampton
International Coaching Honours:
Scotland - 1988-1993, 1999-2003
British & Irish Lions - 1989, 1993, 1997, 2005 (midweek side), 2009
Former Playing Position:
Fly-half / Outside Centre
Former Playing Club:
Headingly
International Playing Honours:
Scotland - 32 Caps
British & Irish Lions - 8 Caps
