Coaching team to be named today

Lions Tour of New Zealand: Clive Woodward will announce his 26-man Lions management group for the tour of New Zealand next summer this morning.

High-profile names to be revealed at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium will include Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, former Lions coach Ian McGeechan and key members of Woodward's World Cup-winning coaching staff.

Andy Robinson, who was promoted to the England top job last week, is poised for a second successive Lions trip, along with defence coach Phil Larder and goalkicking guru Dave Alred.

All three were part of the Graham Henry 2001 Lions management team in Australia.

Scottish doctor James Robson, an integral component of recent Lions tours, will join Woodward in New Zealand as medical officer, while a strong rugby league influence should be exerted by Larder and Oldham-born Mike Ford.

The highly-rated Ford currently works for Ireland and Saracens. He linked up with O'Sullivan three years ago.

Llanelli Scarlets rugby director Gareth Jenkins, who was overlooked for the job of Wales coach last March, is likely to complete Woodward's front-line appointments.

It is understood that Robinson, O'Sullivan and Larder will have responsibility for the weekend team, with a midweek team combination comprising McGeechan, Jenkins and Ford, leaving Woodward to oversee both squads.

"The Lions will be a thoroughly professional set-up," said Woodward, who will announce his 44-man playing squad following the conclusion of this season's Six Nations Championship.

The tour party will leave London on May 25th for an 11-game itinerary that features three Tests against the All Blacks, plus appointments with Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, New Zealand Maori, Wellington, Otago, Southland, Manawatu and Auckland.

The one appointment that will not be made today is the identity of Woodward's Lions captain.

Ireland skipper Brian Driscoll, who led his country to a Six Nations Triple Crown last term, is the popular choice, although his Test team-mate Paul O'Connell and former England leader Lawrence Dallaglio are among alternative contenders with strong claims.

For McGeechan, especially, it offers a chance to complete his personal Lions jigsaw, having plotted Test series victories against Australia (1989) and South Africa (1997).

McGeechan's 1993 Lions, captained by Gavin Hastings, were beaten 2-1 by the All Blacks in a gripping series.

The Scottish Rugby Union, meanwhile, already appear to have made plans for their director of rugby McGeechan's two-month absence.

"We are planning for next year, and will have the right management structures in place to accommodate the fact a number of employees could potentially be involved in the British and Irish Lions tour," said SRU chief executive Phil Anderton.