McGeechan is given chance to lead Lions with Edwards as No2

It is understood the Wasps director of rugby, who saw his side clinch a home tie in the Guinness Premiership play-offs at the weekend, was nominated for the role by three of the Home Unions.

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The appointment of both McGeechan and head coach Edwards on the three-Test South African tour next summer will not interfere with the club's buildup to the following season.

However, the Lions' departure date may be affected if Wasps are in the Premiership final at the end of May.

This will be McGeechan's record seventh Lions tour — two as a player and five as head coach — and it is his third trip to South Africa where he was a member of the unbeaten 1974 team and the coach for the Lions Test series triumph in 1997.

It confirms his position as the greatest Lion of all time in terms of service.

However, his only focus this week is on helping Wasps defeat Bath in Sunday's Premiership semi-final.

McGeechan will soon discover the extent of Paul Sackey's right leg injury suffered during the 45-28 victory over Leeds on Saturday which allowed Wasps to finish second in the Premiership.

The England wing, who was on crutches on Saturday night after injuring the medial ligaments of his right leg, has a scan today.

McGeechan said: "We will have to wait for the results but, despite that, we are in pretty good shape."

Bath have fitness doubts over England front rowers Lee Mears and Matt Stevens after their 8-6 defeat at top-of-the-table Gloucester, who now take on fourth-placed Leicester on Sunday.

Wasps rested flanker Tom Rees at Leeds and only gave England fly-half Danny Cipriani a five-minute blood replacement cameo to keep them fresh for the semi-final.

But while the rest of the squad are dealing with the effects of three games in a week, McGeechan insists the training programme will not be eased.

"We cannot suddenly switch to some light sessions in a week that finishes with a semi-final against a very physical Bath team," said McGeechan. "The play-offs are played at a different level, there are four big teams represented and you have to step up. We've had a very punishing schedule, but I know we can go on further."

Wasps secured a league double over Bath in the regular season and another victory would prolong Lawrence Dallaglio's final season and offer the former England captain a Twickenham farewell in the Premiership final on 31 May.