Irish rugby well represented in Lions staff

Irish and British Lions manager Clive Woodward today unveiled the largest coaching and management team in the touring side's history for next year's trip to New Zealand.

England's World Cup-winning mastermind will head a 26-strong group that includes five representatives from Irish rugby.

Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan, assisted by current England coach Andy Robinson and defence guru Phil Warder, will take charge of the weekend Lions team.

Irish defensive coach and former Great Britain rugby league international Mike Ford will assist Ian McGeechan, the most successful Lions coach of all time, and Llanelli Scarlets' supremo Gareth Jenkins with the midweek side.

Woodward, as head coach, would oversee both groups.

The Irish contingent on the management team is completed by referee David McHugh, who will offer specialist advice, and Dr Gary O'Driscoll, who forms part of the medical team.  John Feehan, meanwhile, had already been installed as the Lions' chief executive officer.

IRFU president Barry Keogh congratulated the four Irish representatives: "I would like to congratulate Eddie O'Sullivan, Mike Ford, Dave McHugh and Dr Gary O'Driscoll on their selections as key people in the Lions management group.

"Their appointments represent another positive statement on Irish rugby and everyone in the game here now looks forward in eager anticipation to many of our players also being chosen for the tour to New Zealand."

Woodward commented: "We have got the right management group behind the team, that is one of the key factors in ensuring that the Lions can deliver our ultimate aim of winning the Test series.

"Whether on the coaching, medical, fitness, media, logistics or legal side of things, it is about creating the right blend and a support structure to give us the best opportunity to be successful in New Zealand."
 
For McGeechan, victorious Lions coach in Australia (1989) and South Africa (1997), it is a golden chance to complete a memorable clean sweep.   He coached the 1993 Lions to New Zealand, but that Test series ended in a 2-1 defeat.

Robinson returns to Lions duties three years after assisting Graham Henry on the tour to Australia, while Jenkins has a perfect opportunity to display his coaching skills after being overlooked for the job of Wales boss earlier this year.

British and Irish Lions Management Team: Clive Woodward (head coach), Bill Beaumont (tour manager), Andy Robinson (coach), Eddie O'Sullivan (coach), Phil Larder (coach), Ian McGeechan (coach), Gareth Jenkins (coach), Mike Ford (coach), John Feehan (chief executive), Louise Ramsay (team manager), Dave Alred (specialist coach), Dave Reddin (fitness coach), Craig White (fitness coach), Tony Biscombe(video analyst), Gavin Scott (video analyst), James Robson (head doctor), Gary O'Driscoll (doctor), Phil Pask (physiotherapist), Bob Stewart(physiotherapist/masseur), Stuart Barton (physiotherapist/masseur), Richard Wegrzyk (masseur), Dave Campbell (chef), Dave Tennison (kit technician), Louisa Cheetham (media liaison), David McHugh (specialist advisor), Richard Smith (legal support).