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McGeechan's latest Lions despatch tips Lawrence, Doris and Rees-Zammit as bolters and outlines specific role for veteran Jones

(Photo by Alex Davidson/The RFU Collection via Getty Images )

Former Lions coach Ian McGeechan has tipped recent Test newcomers Ollie Lawrence, Caelan Doris and Louis Rees-Zammit to feature as bolters on next year’s tour to South Africa – while also outlining the specific role that should be given to veteran lock Alun Wyn Jones.     

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A player on the famed 1974 tour to South Africa who later went onto to coach on the 1997 and 2009 trips, McGeechan is well placed to gauge the type of player the Lions will need if they are to continue their run of success under Warren Gatland which features the 2013 series win in Australia and the tied series in New Zealand four years later.     

McGeechan’s views on the upcoming tour have been an ever-evolving jigsaw puzzle in 2020 and his latest thoughts, contained in a column for the UK Telegraph, provided ample food for thought for 2021 on the back of the recent extended block of Test matches, particular his nomination of a trio of younsters as potential Lions tour bolters.

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Starting off with the pressing business of who will lead the team, McGeechan now believes Maro Itoje is “the likely skipper”, adding that because so many second rows can also play back row, he would be inclined to select six locks for the tour including Welsh veteran Jones. 

“He’s no longer a potential Lions starter, but he’d be my midweek captain,” wrote McGeechan in the Telegraph. “He is a born winner and Lions legend, and on such a short tour Warren will desperately need players who can lead by example, especially in training as well as on the field.”

The former Scottish player and coach added how he really rates James Ritchie, outlining how he “has the potential to be another Tom Croft”. Sticking with the Scots, he suggested the 2021 tour is “Finn’s time”, believing the Racing out-half has the ability to find space and his use of an “extraordinary range of passes and kicking to manipulate defences is unrivalled”.

Russell’s inclusion along with Owen Farrell and Dan Biggar would mean bad news for Johnny Sexton, McGeechan claiming it is “a tour too far” for the Irish veteran and he also overlooked George Ford. He would instead like a punt to be taken on Exeter’s Joe Simmonds, the recent uncapped double winner. “His game management in the high-pressure hurly burly of the Premiership and Champions Cup finals was flawless.”

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However, the names of Test rookies Lawrence, Doris and Rees-Zammit as suggested bolters stood out most in McGeechan’s latest Lions despatch. About Lawrence, the 21-year-old who made his England debut in England’s Six Nations title win in Italy, McGeechan wrote: “With Manu Tuilagi constantly injured and Jamie Roberts absent stage left, the Lions desperately need a forceful ball-carrier in midfield who can take the ball up and get over the gain line early. 

“Ollie Lawrence is a fledgling in Test terms but he’s the player best suited to that role, although the excellent rugby league-style lines run by Scotland’s Sam Johnson means he can also fulfil that role too, as he showed at Twickenham two years ago.”

Switching to 22-year-old Doris, McGeechan added: “Billy Vunipola is the standout No8, but I think Doris could really offer something different if a more mobile game is needed. The Irishman is a great lineout jumper and a superb athlete who operates wider out than Vunipola. 

“With his great feet, good turn of pace, nice hands and sharp rugby brain, he always gets over the gainline to put his side on the front foot and is the sort of serial offloader who thrives on South Africa’s hard grounds.”

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McGeechan finished with a glowing review of Rees-Zammit, the 19-year-old who made his first four appearances for Wales this autumn. “There is no substitute for pace, but this potential bolter also glides past would-be tacklers without pausing for breath. Used properly he could wreak havoc, although he is prone to worrying defensive lapses.”

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'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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