Lions chiefs to prowl further afield for coach

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN’S odds on being the British and Irish Lions coach for the 2009 tour to South Africa drifted further yesterday after an admission by Lions bosses that the coach may not be from the four home nations.

Following the appointment of Wales legend Gerald Davies as manager of the tour, Lions chief executive John Feehan revealed that the committee may look outside the quartet in charge of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland for the Six Nations Championship.

Feehan said: “The select-ion of the coach won’t be until after the Six Nations. We will make the appointment then because it gives candidates the chance to show what they can do between now and then.

“The Lions committee will decide who coaches the tour.”

Ireland’s disastrous World Cup may have fatally undermined O’Sullivan’s chances of leading the squad to South Africa 12 years after the last successful Lions tour to the same country.

It would take a hugely successful Six Nations to push O’Sullivan’s Lions case, and in truth, retaining his Irish post would seem a more relevant goal.

Feehan’s comment suggests the Lions may revert to the modus operandi of 2001 and cast their net beyond the four home unions in search of the right coach. Graham Henry led the Lions to Australia six years ago.

The smart money is on Wasps director of rugby and Lions veteran Ian McGeechan to be asked to lead the tour to South Africa. His contract with the London club is up at the end of the 2008 season.

Added Feehan: “The process will be that each of the unions will be invited to submit a name. However, that will not be the exclusive route. If there’s an alternative candidate who’s a better option, then he will also be considered. The Lions committee will decide who the coach is.

“At the moment the committee is made up of Andy Irvine, Bill Beaumont, Gerald Davies and Noel Murphy. Whether it’s the same committee when we make the actual selection remains to be seen, but it does give an indication of the calibre of the individuals making the decision.”

With no outstanding candidate from the home unions at the moment, the change in policy has thrown up several fascinating scenarios.

The role of tour manager for the three-Test series against the world champion Springboks has been filled by Wales legend Gerald Davies.

Davies played in two Lions tours, in South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971.

He said: “I’m extraordinarily privileged to be named tour manager. Lions tours are unforgettable experiences. This is a great privilege bestowed upon me.”

Meanwhile, Gavin Hen-son will make his first Test start for more than a year as Wales tackle the Boks at the Millennium Stadium this weekend.

The Ospreys star has been recalled by caretaker coach Nigel Davies. Henson’s last full Wales appearance was against Australia in November last year.

Davies has opted for an all-Ospreys midfield on Saturday, with Henson partnering Sonny Parker in the centre and James Hook featuring at fly-half.

It means that Cardiff Blues and World Cup centre Tom Shanklin moves to the wing, while Llanelli Scarlets’ fly-half Stephen Jones has to content himself with a place on the bench.

Scarlets’ full-back, 23-year-old Morgan Stoddart, will make his Wales debut after injury ruled out Ospreys’ Lee Byrne.

Cardiff Blues prop Gethin Jenkins will captain Wales, while his fellow prop — South Africa-born Rhys Thomas — is rewarded for some impressive form in Newport Gwent Dragons colours.

The back-row vacancy created by flanker Martyn Williams’ post-World Cup retirement from inter-national rugby is filled by his Cardiff colleague Robin Sowden-Taylor.

WALES (v South Africa, Millennium Stadium, Saturday): M Stoddart (Llanelli Scarlets); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), S Parker (Ospreys), G Henson (Ospreys), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues); J Hook (Ospreys), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, captain), H Bennett (Ospreys), R Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), A-W Jones (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys), C Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), J Thomas (Ospreys).

Replacements: TR Thomas (Cardiff), D Jones (Ospreys), L Charteris (Dragons), A Popham (Llanelli), M Phillips (Ospreys), S Jones (Llanelli), T James (Cardiff).