Almost a year on from being confirmed as the management team for the 2009 Lions series in South Africa, Ian McGeechan and Gerald Davies are ready to name their 35 or 36-man touring party.
Head coach McGeechan and team manager Davies will make the announcement at a Heathrow hotel at 1.30pm today when the eyes of the rugby world will be thrust upon them.
Almost every rugby pundit, journalist and supporter has already had their say, but it is McGeechan and Davies’ selection that counts.
Both men know exactly what it takes to a win a series with the Lions, with McGeechan tasting success as a player with the 1974 Lions and as a coach in 1989 and 1997 and Davies creating history with 1971 Lions in New Zealand.
The pair have already made one bold call as far as selection is concerned, after drastically reducing the size of the touring party in comparison to the last Lions squad to leave these shores.
When the Lions flew to New Zealand four years ago, they did so with a squad of 45.
In contrast, the 2009 Lions will arrive in South Africa with the same size touring group that faced the Springboks in their own backyard in 1997.
For all the latest news on today’s announcement, together with interviews with key coaching staff and the 2009 Lions captain, keep your eyes on www.lionsrugby.com, the official website of the British & Irish Lions.
