Lawrence Dallaglio's dream team plea to Lions

Lawrence Dallaglio today called on British and Irish Lions chiefs to give Ian McGeechan the "dream" coaching team of Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland for the three-Test series against South Africa next year.

McGeechan, put in charge of the 10-match tour, will make his recommendations about the coaching staff to the team's board of directors.

Top of his list is Edwards, the London Wasps head coach who works alongside McGeechan on a weekly basis. And Wales are prepared to release Gatland, who formerly held the Wasps director of rugby role that McGeechan now fills.

Dallaglio, the Wasps captain who made three Lions tours, including the 1997 series triumph against South Africa under McGeechan, said: "If the Lions get those three men together then it will give the tour party a formidable coaching team.

"It will be vital to have coaches who you know can work together. It gives the Lions a head start."