DUNCAN BECH

Ian McGeechan pledged to take the British and Irish Lions back to their roots after being unveiled as head coach for the 2009 tour to South Africa.

McGeechan will embark on his seventh Lions tour and his fourth as head coach after being confirmed yesterday as the unanimous choice of the selection committee.

The 61-year-old Scot is determined to honour Lions traditions by dispensing with the bloated touring party assembled by Sir Clive Woodward four years ago.

Woodward used 51 players and a giant backroom staff of 26 for New Zealand, which he immediately split into two groups, with McGeechan left in charge of the "midweek" team which remained unbeaten.

Woodward, the former England manager, hoped it would set the blueprint for future Lions trips, but instead it ended in a desperate 3-0 Test series whitewash.

For McGeechan, director of rugby at Wasps, squad unity is key to a successful tour. "The Lions are special and unique," he said. "You can't compare them to anything else you'll do as a player or coach. I have a strong philosophy and principle in what the Lions should be trying to do.

"Because the Lions are so unique, the preparation has to be unique. Ten games in eight weeks is a unique challenge. I firmly believe you need a very tight group - players who can work together as a group with each other and the coaches.

"As far as I'm concerned, everything in preparation and during 2009 will be about one group working closely together. What I think is very important is the bond that develops if you're coaching one group of players every day of the tour.

"There will be one coaching team and one group of players. That unity, the need to draw together very quickly, is critical for the Test series. Everyone will get the chance to make their mark. From day one, everyone must understand what we're about. The fact South Africa are world champions again will make it a very special tour."

Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, and his assistant Shaun Edwards are expected to be appointed to the coaching staff for South Africa next year.

McGeechan, who masterminded a famous series victory over the Springboks in 1997, insists he will finalise his backroom team as soon as possible.

He said: "The Lions tour starts from today for me and team manager Gerald Davies. We intend to spend time together and talk things through. We have certain beliefs and philosophies about the Lions and, hopefully, over the next two months the management and structure will be in place."

The Lions have 10 matches scheduled in South Africa, including Tests against the Springboks in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg between June 20 and July 4. Other fixtures include appointments with the Emerging Springboks, Western Province and the Sharks and tour opens on May 30 against a Highveld XV in Rustenburg.

McGeechan added that there would be no conflict between his duties for Wasps and Lions. "I will continue to coach at Wasps; that's important," he said. "I want to be hands on at Wasps, especially with the experimental law variations coming in.

"I need to understand what the applications of the ELVs are and you can only do that if you do hands on coaching. The arrangement does allow me flexibility. The club are very comfortable with the situation."

Andy Irvine, the Lions chairman, is convinced it is the right appointment. The former Scotland legend firmly believes McGeechan can repeat the series triumph over South Africa 11 years ago and wipe away the bitter memory of that hammering under Woodward. "From day one Ian was in our thoughts because he's the most successful coach in the team's history," said Irvine.

"We wanted someone with a special bond with the Lions. We looked elsewhere, but we kept going back to Ian. The last trip to New Zealand three years ago was very disappointing, so it's vital we have the best leadership to achieve success in South Africa."

Alan Tait, the former Scotland player and part of the 1997 Lions side led by McGeechan, believes he was the only man for the job. "The Lions just goes with his name," Tait said.

"The enthusiasm is still strong. He's a pretty shrewd judge when it comes to picking players."