McGeechan is our Sir Alex - Irvine - Sport in brief

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The Wasps director of rugby, a "unanimous choice" by the Lions board, will take charge for the fourth time having already overseen series victories over Australia in 1989 and the Springboks in 1997.

"He is as fired up as he has ever been and there are similarities in that between Geech and (Manchester United boss) Sir Alex Ferguson," said Lions chairman Andy Irvine. "The desire and the hunger is there."

McGeechan vowed to restore the unique spirit and ethos of the Lions, something critics claim was lost on Sir Clive Woodward's ill-fated tour of New Zealand in 2005.

Woodward sidelined many Lions traditions, using 51 players, two separate coaching units and essentially splitting the squad into midweek and Test teams.

But it is an approach McGeechan, Irvine and team manager Gerald Davies all disagree with, and the 2009 touring party is to be cut by "10-15%".

McGeechan plans to take just one coaching unit - four or five specialists - and around 35 players, who will be expected to share rooms.

"When I spoke to the Lions committee they asked me what my principles are and how I see a tour running," said McGeechan.

"I have a very strong philosophy and some of the traditions are so important to making sure the Lions have a fighting chance of succeeding.

"I firmly believe you need a very tight group. We will have one coaching team and one group of players. All preparations for the 2009 tour will be about one group working very closely together."