Scotland legend Andy Irvine is set to be confirmed as the manager of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013.
The 59-year-old former fullback, capped 60 times by his country, is reportedly in line to rekindle his relationship with the Lions that began in 1974 when he first toured South Africa as a 22-year-old. Irvine toured three times in total as a Lion, wining nine Test caps, with further trips to New Zealand in 1977 and South Africa again in 1980.
A former President of the Scottish Rugby Union, Irvine's first task will be to identify a coach to lead the side to Australia where the Lions suffered a narrow 2-1 series defeat in 2001. He will work in consultation with the Lions committee, now chaired by Gerald Davies, who managed the 2009 tour to South Africa. However, it is understood a decision will not be made until after the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"I'm not going to discount any player if we don't have that release, but it will make it tougher for them in terms of their preparations," Robinson said. "You have to remember that this is a team sport. I was involved [with England] in the 2003 World Cup, and I saw what very good training and preparation can do for a team to achieve a special result."
Robinson stressed that he has had no problems ahead of the November Test series and that he was happy with arrangements for the Six Nations as well.
Irvine's appointment ss expected to be confirmed in London on Monday with the Lions Committe also set to announce that HSBC has renewed its sponsorship of the team. Guy Richardson, the former Scotland team manager, has already been appointed as the Lions' director of operations for the 2013 tour.
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