Deano and Johnson Can Make the Lions Roar

Lions tours come around quicker than you expect. Already the sponsors and fixtures for the 2009 expedition to South Africa are in place and, following today's appointment of Gerald Davies as team manager, attention is turning to the selection of coaches. It's probably safe to assume Sir Clive Woodward will not be getting the nod given what happened in New Zealand in 2005. But if not Clive, who else?

A few months ago Eddie O'Sullivan seemed the clear favorite. But Ireland's disappointing World Cup has done him no favors and his status as an incumbent national coach makes it politically difficult for him to give the Lions role his full attention. The same applies to Brian Ashton and Frank Hadden, while Warren Gatland will have his hands full settling into a new job in Wales. In this day and age the Lions committee may find it mutually advantageous to look elsewhere.

They should also remember where they are heading. South Africa are not world champions by accident and a victorious Lions squad will be required to beat the Boks at altitude on at least one occasion. They will require forwards hewn from the same unflinching granite as their hosts and coaches with an eye for a player and an intimate knowledge of how to win a game of rugby against considerable odds. They will need immense team spirit and plenty of resilient characters. Above all a seed of doubt must exist in South African minds before a ball is kicked or passed. Lions tours which struggle to quicken their opponents' pulses are no good to anyone.

And so here, subject to England's ongoing review removing some of the contenders, are my suggestions to make the Boks think twice. Having opted for Davies, arguably British rugby's ultimate gentleman, a good cop/bad cop combination has obvious attractions. Remember 1997 when the Lions won a memorable series in South Africa? Martin Johnson, who spoke well at yesterday's HSBC sponsorship launch in Docklands, may claim he is too inexperienced in the ways of management to take a big job with England but what better place than a Lions tour to test that theory? Who better to step off the plane and, without uttering a word, convey with the merest hint of a frown that the 2009 Lions mean business? If you installed the great Johnno as assistant manager with his old Leicester boss Dean Richards in charge of team affairs you would, if nothing else, command everyone's attention. No need for Alastair Campbell this time.

Richards is also among the shrewder judges of which players are made of the right stuff. If he doesn't fancy taking a sabbatical from Harlequins that's his prerogative but the Lions would provide a perfect platform to demonstrate what he can do at international level. Jake White and Eddie Jones might also be available but, for now, let's look at less incendiary options closer to home. Alongside Richards as defense coach could easily be Shaun Edwards, another inquiring mind who has sat at the right hand of Ian McGeechan and played at the highest level. Forwards coach? Trickier this one because there are some very good candidates: Dean Ryan at Gloucester, John Brain at Bristol, Toby Booth at London Irish, to name but three. If the number of Englishmen is starting to grate, why not Craig Dowd of Wasps? For the type of physical but dynamic game the Lions will need to play the ex-All Black prop would be perfectly qualified.

The committee, though, will rightly be keen to share the jobs around the home nations and the talkative former Welsh flanker Kingsley Jones might tick all their boxes. If Deano were to be unavailable, Jones might even be able to renew his Sale partnership with Philippe Saint-Andre, resident in England long enough to be considered an honorary Brit. That may appear fanciful but think about it: Paul O'Connell is probably still favorite to lead the side - Brian O'Driscoll would be tempting fate if he accepted the job again - but the Scotland and Sale captain Jason White would not be far behind and Andrew Sheridan, injury permitting, is certain to be involved. Get those two firing and the Lions will be halfway there.

And so to the backs. I've always been a fan of Glasgow's Sean Lineen who is to coach Scotland A with Andy Robinson this season. Bryan Redpath is another canny Scot in exile at Gloucester. The England Sevens coach Ben Ryan remains one to watch. But if the Lions need someone with an intimate knowledge of the South African psyche, a proven attacking vision and a fine playing pedigree, they do not have to look far. Step forward Mike Catt, currently player-coach at London Irish.

So let's just run down that list in full: Manager: Gerald Davies. Assistant manager: Martin Johnson. Head Coach: Dean Richards. Captain: Paul O'Connell. Vice-captain: Jason White. Forwards coach: Kingsley Jones or Craig Dowd. defense coach: Shaun Edwards. Backs coach: Mike Catt. Look me in the eye and say the Springboks wouldn't be remotely concerned.

Memorial Ground's timely reminder

The end of an era is almost upon us. I'm talking about the shrinking number of traditional rugby stadiums. With the advent of the smart new stand at Gloucester another bastion has effectively fallen. When you feel you should be wearing a tie in the bar at Kingsholm you know the end is almost nigh. The Shed looks even more, er, shed-like than ever and Tom Walkinshaw has plans to upgrade that as well. This is Llanelli's final season at Stradey Park, Thomond Park is being rebuilt and the Rec at Bath will shortly be the last of its kind at elite level. Should we be sad? A little, yes. It would be nice if, like Lord's, the new temples were a blend of ancient and modern rather than merely identikit boxes.

Wading into the toilets at Bristol's Memorial Ground (they call it the Memorial Stadium now but let's not restart that old argument) on Sunday, however, was a timely reminder of how things used to be. I've always believed you should never complain too loudly about the facilities laid on for spectators unless you've paid for your ticket. The press boys, relatively speaking, are well catered for. But perhaps we need an official rule of thumb: if even my terrier would hesitate before venturing across the gents' floor it is time to stop whinging about purpose-built stadia.

Paterson would rather have a bowl of Coco-Pops

Good to hear that finely-balanced nutrition is an essential part of every successful professionals daily regime. Scotland's Chris Paterson was the deadliest goal kicker at the World Cup and, courtesy of the Gloucester program, we now know his favorite breakfast pick-me-up. "Without doubt Coco-Pops. I can't get enough of them and can eat up to four or five bowls in one day." He is also a tee-totaler who drinks gallons of Coke. Next time your mother tells you to eat your greens if you want to be a top international sportsman, you know who to quote.
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