British & Irish Lions head coach Sir Clive Woodward has named a 26-strong backroom staff to oversee the tour to New Zealand in 2005.
The tour’s 44-man playing squad – the largest in Lions history – will have their biggest-ever support team to give them the best possible chance of beating the All Blacks.
Woodward has named four assistants with a wealth of experience in current England and Ireland coaches Andy Robinson and Eddie O’Sullivan, former Scotland and three-times Lions coach Ian McGeechan and Llanelli Scarlets director of rugby Gareth Jenkins.
The Lions will take two defensive coaches in England ‘s Phil Larder and Ireland ‘s Mike Ford and two fitness coaches in England duo Dave Reddin and Craig White.
They will also travel with two video analysts, a kicking coach, a refereeing advisor and a lawyer.
The tour’s medical team has also been expanded to comprise two doctors, two
physiotherapists, a masseur and a sixth member able to combine physio and masseur duties.
The last Lions tour, to Australia in 2001, saw coach Graham Henry lead a backroom staff of 10.
Woodward said of the need to more than double that number this time round: "Coaching the Lions is too big a job not to put in place the dedicated coaching teams and specialists we have unveiled today."
He added that the size of the support staff would enable the Lions to have two
coaching teams – one for the Saturday matches and the other the midweek games – but both picking from the same pool of 44 players.
"With other tours, the midweek team has to a certain extent been overlooked but now, with the dedicated team in place, 100% focus can be given to winning each match.
"There is going to be tremendous competition between the two coaching set-ups, fostering a natural rivalry that will create winning sides with each player pushing for Test places."
2005 Lions coaching staff and management team
Bill Beaumont Tour Manager
Clive Woodward Head Coach
Louise Ramsay Team Manager
Andy Robinson Coach
Eddie O’Sullivan Coach
Ian McGeechan Coach
Gareth Jenkins Coach
Phil Larder Coach
Mike Ford Coach
Dave Alred Specialist Coach
Dave Reddin Fitness Coach
Craig White Fitness Coach
David McHugh Specialist Advisor
Tony Biscombe Video Analyst
Gavin Scott Video Analyst
Dr James Robson Head Doctor
Dr Gary O’Driscoll Doctor
Phil Pask Physio
Stuart Barton Physio
Bob Stuart Physio/Masseur
Richard Wegrzyk Masseur
John Feehan Chief Executive
Richard Smith Legal Advisor
L ouisa Cheetham Media Officer
Dave Campbell Chef
Dave Tennison Kit Technician
