Sir Ian McGeechan rushed to hospital in Wellington
Sir Ian McGeechan, the former British and Irish Lions rugby legend, has been rushed to hospital after collapsing while working for Sky Sports in their box at Westpac Stadium just hours before kick off.
Everyone at the Lions send their very best wishes to Sir Ian McGeechan https://t.co/HpgZN55xHi
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 1, 2017
However, there has been encouraging news in relation to the incident, when Sir Ian’s daughter took to twitter to reassure Lions fans that it may not have been as serious as first thought.
UPDATE: from his daughter, Sir Ian McGeechan just has a bug, he will be fine. Walked to the ambulance himself.
— Newstalk ZB Sport (@newstalkzbsport) July 1, 2017
McGeechan began his playing career at Headingley and made his debut for Scotland in 1972. He won thirty-two caps, playing at fly-half and centre. He captained Scotland on nine occasions. He toured with the British and Irish Lions in both 1974 and 1977. During his playing career, he was also a PE teacher for over two decades.
In 1986 McGeechan became the assistant Scotland coach to Derrick Grant and in 1988 he was promoted to coach. In 1990 his team won a Grand Slam victory in the Five Nations Championship. His forwards coach and partner was Jim Telfer.
McGeechan was made the British and Irish Lions Head Coach in 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2009. In 2005, he coached the midweek side on the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand on the invitation of Sir Clive Woodward.