Ian McGeechan has once again confirmed that Lions selection will be based purely on form and the ability to make a positive contribution to a winning squad.
The Lions head coach gave a brief response to comments from Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards regarding the possible make up of the 35 or 36-man squad.
Richards, who himself toured with the Lions under McGeechan in Australia in 1989 and then New Zealand four years later, suggested that the influence of McGeechan and fellow Wasps coach Shaun Edwards may lead to the inclusion of a high proportion of Wasps players for the tour of South Africa.
However, McGeechan has publicly stated once again that what team an individual plays his domestic rugby for will have absolutely no bearing on selection for the 10-match tour.
"The best Lions squad is all I’m interested in," said McGeechan, who announces his touring party on April 21.
"And if there are Wasps players and Harlequins players in it that will be because they deserve to be in it and not for any other reason.
"Dean will know I’m big enough and open-minded enough to be looking at the best Lions squad, full stop.
"He will know that because I picked him even though he played at Leicester (when McGeechan was coaching Northampton). So I must be reasonably open-minded."
