Woodward lines up McGeechan

RUGBY: Head coach Clive Woodward has targeted the man at the centre of the most successful Lions tours as he prepares for next…

RUGBY: Head coach Clive Woodward has targeted the man at the centre of the most successful Lions tours as he prepares for next summer's trip to New Zealand.

Former Scotland head coach Ian McGeechan enjoyed success with the tourists in Australia (1989) and against then world champions South Africa in 1997. He was also coach during the last, unsuccessful, series in New Zealand, in 1993

The Scottish Rugby Union director of rugby stepped out of the coaching limelight last autumn to allow Matt Williams take up his mantle.

Since then, McGeechan has been working alongside SRU chief executive Phil Anderton in a bid to improve the image of the game north of the border.

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But the SRU have admitted that Woodward is in early negotiations with the ex-Scotland international to join his coaching staff.

The Lions have confirmed 10 games in total in New Zealand with another match expected to be added shortly along with the three Tests in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

TRI-NATIONS: Springbok lock Victor Matfield has been given the opportunity to revive his Test career after he was added to the squad for the Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Matfield was sent home from Australia before the July 17th Test with a knee injury and although he played for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup that weekend, he has not featured in the Tri-Nations since.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry will announce his team today.