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.