By James Standley

McGeechan was head coach on three Lions tours

Ian McGeechan has defended Sir Clive Woodward's decision to pick just three Scottish players in his Lions party to tour New Zealand in the summer.

McGeechan is part of the coaching team and was involved in selection.

"Percentage-wise it's about the same number of Scots as it was on the previous two tours. It's not far away," said Scotland's director of rugby.

"You ask who has really stood up for selection, irrespective of which country they come from."

McGeechan was the Lions head coach in 1989, 1993 and 1997 and is currently Scotland's director of rugby, although he is expected move to a club in the Zurich Premiership shortly.

You look at them as a group of rugby players and say which do you think is the best 44 to represent the Lions Lions coach Ian McGeechan

He said he had no doubt the Lions were taking a strong squad to New Zealand.

"When you look at the positions and you just look at the quality of player that's been selected it's quite an exciting prospect I think," he said.

"They're there because, at this moment in time, we feel they're the strongest group in any position."

McGeechan echoed Woodward, saying you can't "divvy up" selection based on nationality.

"You look at them as a group of rugby players and say which do you think is the best 44 to represent the Lions," he added

"That's it - there is no other consideration."

One of the three Scottish players who made the cut is promising youngster Chris Cusiter, and McGeechan said he had no doubt the experience would help the scrum-half become a better player.

"With somebody like Matt Dawson you've got experience, which I think will rub off," said McGeechan.

"Chris is being mentored by Gary Armstrong and that carries on in a Lions context, in a slightly different way.

"The younger players coming on tour definitely feel the impact of the experience of others and that's how you grow and where you move on as a player.