Ian McGeechan (born on October 30 1946) was a hugely successful rugby coach of the Northampton Saints, the Scotland national rugby union team and the British and Irish Lions. He is currently the Director of Rugby at the Scottish Rugby Union. He has been given the nickname of "Geech".

His playing career was no less impressive, winning 32 caps for Scotland, playing at fly half and centre, and he captained them on nine occasions.

His forwards coach and partner was Jim Telfer. He will coach the midweek side on the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 on the invitation of Sir Clive Woodward.

McGeechan has his critics, notably Jim Aitken who accuses him of ruining the club game in Scotland. He was appointed Director of Rugby at the SRU without the post being advertised. His biggest mistake in this post was, many feel, the appointment of Matt Williams as the national coach.

External links

• McGeechan should go too, says Aitken - The Scotsman newspaper, January 14, 2005
• Murrayfield exit beckons for McGeechan - The Scotsman, March 27, 2005