De Villiers wary of McGeechan
by Mark Doyle, 15 May 2008
South Africa boss Peter de Villiers believes that the appointment of Ian McGeechan as British and Irish Lions head coach is bad news for The Springboks.
McGeechan has been involved in six previous Tours - three as head coach - and it was he who led the Lions to their last series success, the epic triumph in South Africa in 1997.
As a result, De Villiers believes that the 61-year-old Scot is the ideal man for the role.
"McGeechan's appointment makes them very dangerous," De Villiers told Die Burger.
"He has enjoyed success in South Africa, as player and as coach. He knows the conditions. I am not surprised at all.”
Meanwhile, Lions chairman Andy Irvine is confident that a resolution will be found to a potential fixture clash with the conclusion of next season's Guinness Premiership.
The play-off final is currently set for May 30 of next year, which is the same date that The Lions are set to kick off their Tour with a game against a Highveld XV in Rustenburg.
Not only would that potentially deprive the tourists of a number of high-profile players, it could also create a problem for McGeechan in the event that his club side, London Wasps, were involved in the Premiership decider.
However, Irvine insists that McGeechan is bound to the Lions for the entire Tour and is also confident that a fixture clash will be avoided.
“Obviously it’s a concern for us but I think that common sense will prevail,” he said. “I’m very much in the optimists’ camp that a solution will be found.
”We were asked to bring the tour forward by one week by the RFU. It wasn’t particularly easy to do.
”We had to get co-operation from the South Africans but we did so in good faith and we’re surprised to learn of the clash of fixtures.
“But it’s not rocket science to work it out. I think you could hold a round of Premiership matches between Christmas and New Year and that would allow the final to be brought forward by two weeks.
“There is a slight possibility of the schedule remaining and if it does then Ian’s priority would be with the Lions,” he added.