Lions Legend Sir Ian McGeechan Picks Two Irishmen Among His Test Match ‘Animals’

Former Lions head coach Sir Ian McGeechan recently sat down with Matt Dawson to pick his Test match ‘animals’ ahead of the 2017 British and Irish Lions.

The Scot has been in charge of four Lions tours, most recently a 2-1 series defeat by South Africa in 2009 and has picked two Irishmen among his ‘animals.’ In front-row he’s gone for Leinster prop Tadhg Furlong.

“I think the area that we’ll hopefully find them [Test match animals] is in the front-row and there’s good indications.” McGeechan told BBC 5 Live Sport

“I like Tadhg Furlong, I think he’s shown that sort of edge and that involvement under pressure.

Sticking to the front five, McGeechan singles out Saracens and England pairing Maro Itoje and George Kruis.

“The second-row is going to ve very interesting. Kruis, Itoje….the way he’s [Itoje] come through, he doesn’t lose games! You’ve got to say there is something a bit special in there but he’s got to do it in a Lions jersey.”

“It might not be George Kruis he’s doing it alongside but it might be. There’s going to be a hell of a battle there for Test match places and a part of that selection could be on balance. And that could be the interesting conversation that the coaches have leading into the first Test.”

In the backs there’s no surprise that he’s singled out Sexton and Farrell.

“There’s no doubt for me the obvious one is Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell in the backs, for me they’re outstanding competitors. They’ve done it before.