The last time Ian McGeechan led a touring squad of British and Irish Lions to South Africa, he and his squad returned back to blighty as legends in their own time, achieving the seemingly impossible against the then world champions, a 2-1 series victory.

That was in 1997.  Two years earlier, South Africa had lifted the World Cup on home soil, captain Francois Pienaar being presented the trophy by his President, Nelson Mandela.  McGeechan’s men were called the Lions, but in this case they were quite literally lambs to the slaughter, and it was the roaring South African’s who were more likely to draw blood.

Yet, along with fellow Scot Jim Telfer, ‘Geech’ steered the Lions to an unforgettable victory, emerging supreme in the first two of three tests, allowing the revered Springboks no way back.  His team at that time were a team of talents, prodigious, potentially great players.  But as of that time, they had achieved little. 

A few had achieved minor glory in the then Five Nations Championship.  But there were few on tour who had experienced significant success on previous Lions excursions, and most of them had suffered the ignominy of being bulldozed by Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup.  Only the South Africans themselves managed to contain the mighty Kiwi.

That their captain, Martin Johnson, went on to lift the World Cup in 2003, as well as many of the other Englishman on that tour, spoke volumes for the faith McGeechan had in his young squad.  But there were also several Scots who played a major role in that awe-inspiring tour.

Tom Smith, Gregor Townsend and Alan Tait all played major roles in those two series victories.  Tait scored the winning try in the first test, while Townsend pulled the strings from stand-off that took the Lions to victory.  Up front, Smith played no small role in keeping at bay the feared Springbok pack, including the monstrous 20 stone frame of prop Os du Randt.  Scottish loose forwards Doddie Weir and Rob Wainwright also played their part in that inspirational squad.

 There are many parallels with the forthcoming 2009 Lions tour to South Africa.  Again, they are coached by McGeechan.  Again, they are facing the World Champions on their home patch.  And, again, they haven’t been given a prayer by the pundits of overturning the ‘Boks.

So with big boots to fill in the form of Messrs Smith, Tait, Townsend, Weir and Wainwright, what Scots will board the plane when the Lions depart for South Africa in May?  Ian McGeechan is expected to name his squad on the 21st April, and the performances by the home nations during the 6 Nations will play a major part in making up his mind on who gets the call.

So the Scots haven’t got much chance of making up a decent portion of the squad then, you would think.  While Ireland took the Grand Slam, England and Wales both managed to come away from the tournament with a positive record, winning three of their five games.  Scotland, meanwhile, only won one, against Italy.

But there is reason to believe that not only could Scots make up a sizeable chunk of the squad, there are several who could find themselves in the test side, as you can see from Lions legend Gregor Townsend’s first choice test XV, below.

But first of all let’s have a think about who will be fitted for that famous red shirt, white shorts and green and black socks. 

In the pack, Scotland performed ably, if not spectacularly during the 6 Nations.  They never quite were at their barnstorming best, but nor were they pushovers.  Furthermore, in several positions, there are few other outstanding candidates from the other nations either.

From that perspective it is safe to add the first two Scots to the probable list: hooker Ross Ford and prop Euan Murray.  Both were vaunted as potential Lions before the 6 Nations, and neither appear to have been usurped from that position.  Ford maintained steady form, while Murray proved just how vital he is to Scotland when he returned from injury halfway through the tournament.

Nathan Hines in the second row is a further candidate for inclusion.  His talents in the tight, bulk, physicality and power make him a perfect foil to the centre stage roles that the other Lions locks in contention will fill, such as Paul O’Connell, Donnacha O’Callaghan and Alun Wyn-Jones.

In the back row, meanwhile, despite Scotland’s apparent wealth of talents, there is less of a likelihood we will see any of them in South Africa, mainly due to the fact that there are stronger candidates from other nations, and none of them put their hats in the ring with consistently outstanding displays in the 6 Nations.  Not even the once inspirational Jason White, or two time Lion Simon Taylor will consider themselves strong contenders for a spot.

Several of Scotland’s backs also make interesting cases for inclusion, despite the fact that they have struggled to score tries for the best part of three seasons. 

Scotland captain Mike Blair was considered a potential Lions captain in January.  Now that might not be the case, but it is hard to leave a man at home who was considered one of the top five players in the world by the IRB less than six months ago.  Not only that, but there is even a possibility that McGeechan could also consider 2005 Lion Chris Cusiter, so outstanding has his club form been.  One more probable and one possible.

One name and two men also spring to mind.  If Ian McGeechan wants raw pace and talent, and is keen to continue his policy of selecting some younger, raw but dangerous players, as he did in 1997, then he need look no further than the Evans’, Max and Thom.  Relatively unknown a year ago, Both have showcased their considerable talents in 2009, at club and international level, and will certainly stake a claim for a last minute ticket.

Perhaps the biggest enigma of all though is Scotland’s most capped player, Chris Paterson.  He has so many arguments to guarantee inclusion that it could almost be considered impossible not to select him.  But at the same time, there is reason to believe he won’t be going to South Africa.

Arguments for Paterson to tour are obvious for all to see.  He is one of the most experienced players in the world.  He can play in several positions to an international standard.  He is the best goal-kicker in the world, bar none.

The reason he may not go, however, is because of the strength that players from other countries bring in his position, most likely to be wing or full back if he is selected.  At full back, he faces competition from England’s Delon Armitage, Ireland’s Rob Kearny and Wales’ Lee Byrne.  All three showed themselves to be of Lions calibre in this year’s 6 Nations, and will take some shifting is Paterson is to displace them.

The wing position is equally strong, with the world’s best player, Shane Williams and Grand Slam Irish hero, Tommy Bowe, looking for a test spot.  England’s Paul Sackey, Ugo Moyne and Mark Cueto are also strong contenders, and Paterson may even find himself usurped by the pacey Thom Evans.  But, considering his merits first and foremost, Chris Paterson goes on the probable list.

So that’s five Scottish probables and three more possible. Do you agree?  Check out Gregor Townsend’s Lions XV below and let us know who you would choose.

Probables
Ross Ford – hooker
Euan Murray – prop
Nathan Hines – lock
Mike Blair – scrum-half
Chris Paterson – wing / full-back

Possibles
Chris Cusiter – scrum-half
Max Evans – centre
Thom Evans – wing

Gregor Townsend’s Lions XV

1. Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
2. Ross Ford (Scotland)
3. Euan Murray (Scotland)
4. Nathan Hines (Scotland)
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
6. Stephen Ferris (Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Ireland)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
9. Mike Blair (Scotland)
10. James Hook (Wales)
11. Rob Kearny (Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Wales)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (c) (Ireland)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
15. Chris Paterson (Scotland)

RO
©Copyright In The Winning Zone, MMIX, All Rights Reserved