Wasps Six will make Lions roar, says Dallaglio

In an unprecedented move, the Lions organisers will announce in Dublin today a London Wasps "takeover" of the most famous touring rugby team in the world.

Tour manager Gerald Davies will confirm that head coach Ian McGeechan, the Wasps director of rugby, has assembled a management team comprising Shaun Edwards (Wasps head coach), Warren Gatland (former Wasps director of rugby), Rob Howley (ex-Wasps scrum-half), Craig White (ex-Wasps fitness expert) and Rhys Long (ex-Wasps game analyst).

Gatland, Edwards and Howley are the coaching trio who guided Wales to Grand Slam success in the Six Nations last season. White and Long are now part of that management set-up.

Crucially, all of those involved know each other well. That is in stark contrast to Sir Clive Woodward's tour three years ago when the All Blacks completed a series whitewash as the Lions operated two separate teams for Saturdays and midweek matches.

While critics will claim this is a case of "jobs for the Wasps boys" Dallaglio insists the calibre of men involved gives the Lions a head start on the 10-match tour which starts on 30 May. He also dismisses the poor start made by Wasps this season as irrelevant to the Lions.

Dallaglio, who will help identify potential back-row players for the squad, said: "The news is a great reflection on Wasps and it's great for the Lions because the right people have been chosen. They really are a coaching team, even before the tour starts, because everyone has worked closely together in the past.

"I am sure the lessons of 2005 played a part in this set-up. The way the Lions are going to play will be transmitted very easily to the players. These are the best possible coaches."

Tony Copsey, the Wasps managing director, today confirmed the Lions had approached the club about using McGeechan and Edwards as both are under contract and their release for the tour had been agreed.

"We are very supportive of what the Lions want to do," he said.

Danny Cipriani will be targeting his first appearance for the Lions if he makes a successful return for England in next month's Twickenham internationals and the Six Nations. The Wasps fly-half, 20, admitted today that he still has a lot to live up to at international level having been added to the 32-strong England senior squad following his successful return from a horrendous ankle injury.

Cipriani said: "There is still a lot for me to prove but I'm delighted that Martin Johnson [England manager] has shown such confidence in me. Since my injury this has been my target to get back and ready for. I am so excited about meeting up with the England guys."

England face the Pacific Islanders, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand on consecutive Saturdays starting on 8 November.