King of the Lions

Last updated: 14th May 2008

Will Greenwood studio

Greenwood: Former tourist

You can't help but learn things from McGeechan - he's an innovator, a thinker, a great selector and he has so much understanding about what's required on a Lions tour.

Will Greenwood
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Also see

Former Lions back Will Greenwood has welcomed the appointment of Ian McGeechan as head coach for next year's tour of South Africa.

The Scot, who along with Jim Telfer masterminded the 1997 series success against the Springboks, will be in charge of the tourists for a fourth time.

And as English World Cup-winning centre Greenwood told Sky Sports News, that experience could be key.

"The last time we won a series in South Africa he was absolutely integral," he said. "He and Telfer as coaches were good cop, bad cop.

"As a back, you can't help but learn things from McGeechan - he's an innovator, a thinker, a great selector and he has so much understanding about what's required on a Lions tour.

"When the players come together it's not a 10-week planning job - you hit the ground running.

"You have to give players the opportunity the're in with a chance of making the Test team. You're a long way from home for a long time.

"He's a friendly chap. He's stern when he needs to be and he knows what he wants to get out of the players, but at the same time he's very approachable.

"He's so knowledgable about the game. He's a great man to talk to and chew the fat with whilst you're away from home on these trips."