Advice: Sir Ian McGeechan
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Former Scotland coach Sir Ian McGeechan will attend England's training camp in Leeds next week ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash.
The British & Irish Lions legend has been invited to attend by Stuart Lancaster and will offer his analysis on England's preparations according to a report in The Daily Express.
McGeechan coached Scotland between 1999-2003 and has been involved with seven Lions tours as a player and coach. He has also worked with Aviva Premiership sides Wasps, Gloucester and Bath.
Despite his allegiances to his country however, McGeechan insists that he will not be sharing any secrets from the England camp.
"It's a privilege to be asked and to be able to watch and to be allowed an insight, but I will not take that knowledge elsewhere," said McGeechan.
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
"Geeks" it is then
Posted 20:50 22nd January 2013
Michtymauler says...
James, we must all live in hope ... In some way or other! A little humour assists.. Look it up in the dicktionary!! Lol ;-)
Posted 15:22 18th January 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
@michtymauler - feel better now?
Posted 10:07 18th January 2013
Michtymauler says...
Geech is past his best anyway! He's done the rounds with a few premiership clubs and most of hai success with Scotland and the Lions was as someone pointed out, due to working with Jim Telfer. That's the kind of bloke Scotland should have advising so he can motivate and prepare the Scots because thanks to the SRU clowns, the sport north of the border is a bloody shambles!!
England you can have Geech!! It may give you a scapegoat if it all goes Pete Tong! And no, that sounds like it but no, Pete Tong isn't an islander who could play for the rose!! Lol
Posted 21:55 17th January 2013
porridge_time says...
jamesliveinhope....
You are absolutely correct regarding the length of time since McGeechan was last contracted by the SRU. For all those doe eyed Scots fans who have an issue with his consultancy with England... just look back at his last stint with Scotland as director of rugby and his failure to put systems in place to bring Scotland into the pro era... during his tenure he failed to construct a youth policy or to address the growth of the game at grass-roots leve. What he did manage to put in place was the policy of scouring the world for players with Scots qualification.
Regarding his technical knowledge of the game I'm sure he will have something to offer the English.
Posted 18:36 17th January 2013
porridge_time says...
jamesliveinhope....
You are absolutely correct regarding the length of time since McGeechan was last contracted by the SRU. For all those doe eyed Scots fans who have an issue with his consultancy with England... just look back at his last stint with Scotland as director of rugby and his failure to put systems in place to bring Scotland into the pro era... during his tenure he failed to construct a youth policy or to address the growth of the game at grass-roots leve. What he did manage to put in place was the policy of scouring the world for players with Scots qualification.
Regarding his technical knowledge of the game I'm sure he will have something to offer the English.
Posted 18:36 17th January 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
"Geeks"???????????????
He hasn't been contracted to the SRU for 9 years and has spent most of his time since (and between SRU jobs) with Premiership clubs.
Posted 14:26 17th January 2013
pierredelot1 says...
Have to say the Scots may not like this but they employed an Australian to coach them. Thats the way of the world boys and he's only casting an eye over things. Lets face it with his accent you'd never have picked him for a Jock in the first place. My guess is though that Geech is getting on a bit now and most national setups require fulltime commitment. Consultancy is the modern way. Nice work if you can get it. My Auntie Florrie is available for two hours on Thursdays if Scotland are interested
Posted 12:21 17th January 2013
HighsideUK says...
Please. It's "Geech". Always has been.
Posted 10:20 17th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Suppose its good with this young coaching set up.
Posted 09:36 17th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
If we need a wise old head my choice would be Ashton. Someone with English ties. Geeks could be on opposite payroll next year. perhaps Geeks is thinking of later advising Gatland for Lions.
Posted 09:34 17th January 2013
sirtidychris says...
He's still got to provide for himself and family, im sure england will give him a decent salary for a few days work fair play to the bloke...its not like he has any insider knowledge about scotland he hasn't coached them since 2003. Having been, born in leeds, played for leeds and now executive chairman of leeds rugby his only eligence is to....starter for 10 anyone ?
Posted 09:28 17th January 2013
jaycee_111 says...
Geech was born in Headingly Yorkshire he is with his native country's home team mind you with IRB nationality qualification rules he could be anything.
Posted 07:53 17th January 2013
porridge_time says...
Because ArmchairGeneral the price is right... and that's exactly what he is all about. Doubt he has much to offer to be honest, apart from hanging on the coat tails of Jim Telfer he has had little or no success at test level.
Posted 04:28 17th January 2013
ABlack says...
Traitor.....
Posted 21:12 16th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
Wow. The SRU are that screwed up where one of their most accomplished products decides to help the Auld Enemy. I know it's a modern global economy and all but one would think that w/ the SRU is such disarray they'd be circling the wagons with all the home grown talent available to them and not grasping at straws like thy have with the new coaching set up. Not to mention some of the poor recent player selections/snubs.
Posted 19:55 16th January 2013
HRFC2 says...
re: ArmchairGeneral
Because "Geeks" will make sure that the wooden spoon stays with it's rightful owners
Posted 18:38 16th January 2013
melkdave says...
Pretty sure SL and co will have England properly prepard for the opening match of the 6Ns,Scotland1st up is never easy for anyone,as they will come into it fired up and believing,they can win,and have no obvious doughts ,as they start with a virtually clean sheet .Also preety sure Geeks will,have a few insights into how England could improve their training and preparation,not just for this game but in general
Posted 17:18 16th January 2013
APV1 says...
He wasn't employed at Bath as a coach and that is one of the reasons it didn't work. He has a great rugby brain and a keen eye, so any advice he can offer is a bonus.
Posted 17:16 16th January 2013
Spartacus says...
Why is he doing this? More to the point, why is the SRU letting this happen??
Posted 17:10 16th January 2013