RUGBY/ LIONS TOUR: THE BACKROOM team was unveiled, so too a new jersey but the most important announcement yesterday in the Dublin docklands was the philosophical roadmap that will guide the 2009 Lions tour in South Africa.
Team manager Gerald Davies and head coach Ian McGeechan welcomed to the dais what might be considered retrospectively a swarm of Wasps in Warren Gatland (forwards coach), Shaun Edwards (defence coach), Rob Howley (backs coach) and Craig White (strength-and-conditioning coach), where they were joined by Dr James Robson, who leads the medical team, and Rhys Long, a former Wasps game analyst, who will fulfil the same role with the Lions.
The composition of the coaching team had long been flagged so the primary interest was McGeechan's mission statement. The Scot is the last man to preside over a winning Lions tour, when in 1997 he masterminded a 2-1 Test series victory against the Springboks. Since then the Lions have managed just one Test win from six in losing successive series against Australia (2-1, 2001) and New Zealand (3-0, 2005).
It is generally accepted the last Lions expedition that was a success on and off the field was the 1997 trip to South Africa, and McGeechan's clarion call for next summer is try to foster the same singularity of purpose and harmony among players and coaches: he's going back to the future.
There will be no wristbands, no them-and-us division between the Test team and the midweek dirt-trackers.
Everyone will be given an opportunity to stake a claim for a Test match place and both sides will fall under the same coaching remit in an attempt to avoid the shortcomings of the regimes under Graham Henry and Clive Woodward.
In January, 65 players will receive notification inquiring about their availability to tour South Africa, and that number will be cut to 35 or 36 after the Six Nations.
McGeechan, who confirmed a captain would be chosen "probably from about five or six candidates when the squad is pared down", has opted for a tight-knit coaching fraternity, one with which he's worked at Wasps.
He explained: "Lions tours are unique as we have to meld together players from four different countries. There has to be a unified, common approach on the tour with coaches and players working together.
"We therefore have to create a positive environment and appoint the right personnel to help devise the right strategies to take on the Springboks at home.
"I am delighted with today's appointments and confident we can come together quickly as preparation time is always short.
"Working with coaches and personnel I know well and who have successful track records and experience ensures we will get the best out of the players and provide the greatest chance of winning the Test series."
He pointed out the coaching team he had assembled share a similar outlook on how the game should be played and also mesh well in terms of personalities before quickly adding he expected healthy debate.
The backroom team will include barrister Richard Smith - he fulfilled that role on the last tour - and there is an announcement pending on a kicking coach.
McGeechan admitted he has put in place a coaching network that includes his old buddy Jim Telfer and sundry other unspecified contacts while he will also maintain close dialogue with Declan Kidney (Ireland), Martin Johnson (England), Frank Hadden (Scotland), Gatland (Wales) and the various coaches at Guinness Premiership clubs.
Interestingly the Lions supremo also confirmed he would be prepared to consider players who did not play in the Six Nations Championship.
One by one Davies, Edwards, Robson, Howley, White and Long spoke about what the Lions meant to them as individuals, the words "pinnacle" and "honour" common to every pronouncement.
Former Ireland and current Wales coach Gatland admitted: "I am very passionate about what I do, very passionate about Northern Hemisphere rugby. It's a huge honour and very humbling.
"Culturally I can bring a lot to it from my time in Ireland, London, Wales and throw in a bit of Kiwi into the mix."
As to any issue about being one of a coaching team rather than the head honcho, Gatland laughed: "I'll probably find this easier. Not being number one isn't an issue for me.
"I view this as part of my development as a coach and I still consider myself a young one who continues to learn."
When asked if he was looking forward to working with Irish players again, Gatland pointed out: "What Munster players bring, how they gel as a team and what they bring to the jersey is something that I can identify with and have a huge amount of respect for. I am looking forward to catching up with the Irish players."
Tour details
Saturday, May 30th: Highveld XV v Lions, Royal Bafokeng
Wednesday, June 3rd: Golden Lions v Lions, Ellis Park
Saturday, June 6th: Cheetahs v Lions, Vodacom Park
Wednesday, June 10th: Sharks v Lions, ABSA Park
Saturday, June 13th: Western Province v Lions, Newlands
Tuesday/Wednesday, June 16th/17th: Coastal XV v Lions (full details still to be confirmed)
Saturday, June 20th: First Test - South Africa v Lions, ABSA Park
Tuesday, June 23rd: Emerging Springboks v Lions, Newlands
Saturday, June 27th: Second Test South Africa v Lions, Loftus Versfeld
Saturday, July 4th: Third Test South Africa v Lions, Ellis Park.
TIMELINE
January: Extended squad of 65 players to be announced.
April: Squad to be reduced to 35 or 36
