Leeds have to succeed - McGeechan

McGeechan led the British Lions to a series over South Africa in 2007

British and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan says the English game needs a strong Leeds Carnegie side.

Leeds-born McGeechan formerly played at Headingley and believes a successful Yorkshire club is vital for the sport.

"It would be criminal not to have a professional team from Yorkshire at the head of English rugby," McGeehan told BBC Radio Leeds.

"There is a lot of rugby talent in Yorkshire and we need a Premiership team in Leeds to inspire that."

McGeechan, who has been involved as a either a player or coach in seven Lions tours, has just released his autobiography entitled 'Lion Man' and speaks fondly of his playing days in Yorkshire in it.

The former Wasps head coach made his debut for Yorkshire Colts in 1965 and went on to represent the senior Yorkshire side, Scotland and the British and Irish Lions.

McGeechan's former Headingley Rugby Club formed with Roundhay in 1992 to originally become Leeds Tykes and now Leeds Carnegie.

"You need a system in Yorkshire where all the talent comes through to," explained McGeechan.

"When I played, the county side was the big achievement and playing in the County Championship.

"Now it's a professional game and that's why it is very important to have a professional, successful side in the county and then everyone can strive to be involved with that.

"There is vast talent in the area and it's important we make the most of that."

The former Scotland fly-half also praised the work of Neil Back and his fellow coaches at Leeds.

McGeechan worked closely with Back on the 1997 and 2005 Lions tours and they also came up against each other for both club and country.

I would be very surprised if he is not setting those same high standards on and off the pitch at Leeds and he is someone very important for the future development of the club

McGeechan on Neil Back

"Neil was a thoughtful player and I had great conversations with him during the Lions tour of 1997 [South Africa] and also to an extent in 2005 [New Zealand]," added McGeechan.

"He thinks a lot about the game, he is a tremendous competitor and his preparation was second to none.

"He has a good understanding of the game and was a great example as a player.

"I would be very surprised if he is not setting those same high standards on and off the pitch at Leeds and he is someone very important for the future development of the club."

Leeds head coach Back, in turn, is equally glowing in his assessment of McGeechan.

"He is one of the best coaches in the world in my book," Back said

"My first involvement with him was the 1997 Lions tour of South Africa. I went there as a midweek player but through his and the other coaches' help I performed well and got into the Test team for the last two matches.

"Up until that point I had seven England caps and I did play in the 1995 World Cup, but I was not a regular by any means at all.

"The style of rugby we played in South Africa and the type of pitches suited my strengths.

"I got a lot of support from Ian and also the forwards coach Jim Telfer in 1997 and they gave me the opportunity to show what I could do at the very highest level.

"From there I played in the first two games of Clive Woodward's reign as England manager, played well and from there I never looked back."