Clive names Lions' coaching team

Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward has named an unprecedented 26-strong management team for the 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand, and it includes three-time coach Ian McGeechan, Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan and England coach Andy Robinson.

The appointments, revealed at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Thursday, include Woodward's England successor Robinson and McGeechan, the most successful Lions coach of all time.

An impressive coaching line-up is completed by the likes of Ireland's Eddie O'Sullivan, Llanelli Scarlets' supremo Gareth Jenkins, plus defence gurus Phil Larder and Mike Ford.

Kicking specialist Dave Alred has been chosen, along with Robinson and Larder for a second successive Lions trip, with Woodward predictably leaning heavily on his World Cup support staff.

England fitness coach Dave Reddin makes the 11-match trip, as does England's video analyst Tony Biscombe and physiotherapist Phil Pask.

Chef Dave Campbell and lawyer Richard Smith, who were both members of the England World Cup contingent, have also been included by Woodward, together with former Irish international referee David McHugh, who will offer specialist advice.

Lions doctor James Robson is also included for his fourth tour, having gone on the 1993, 1997 and 2001 tours. He will have Irish doctor Dr. Gary O'Driscoll as support.

"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," said Woodward.

"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."

It is thought that Robinson, O'Sullivan and Larder will have responsibility for the weekend Lions team, with McGeechan, Jenkins and former Great Britain rugby league international Ford looking after the midweek team.

Woodward, as head coach, would oversee both groups.

For McGeechan, victorious Lions coach in Australia (1989) and South Africa (1997), it is a golden chance to complete a memorable clean sweep as 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: Sir 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).