THE ALLIANCE between Ian McGeechan and Fran Cotton was first formed in South Africa 23 years ago when both were influential figures in the most successful Lions team of all time. That alliance will resume on the same soil in May. In 1974, they were team mates who both played in all four Tests. Now, as coach and manager respectively, they form the core of the Lions management team for the tour to South Africa in May.

As Cotton puts it, "a great deal has changed since those days in the 1970s, but the basic objective remains the same winning the Test series."

This will, of course, be the first "Lions team to travel to the southern hemisphere as full time professional players. "There will be financial reward for the players to win the Test series, but I would like to think that pride in a famous red jersey will be the main incentive," says Cotton.

The pair have been meeting regularly over recent months to make their arrangements and plot their strategy for the tour. "The preparation is and will be as thorough as possible," says Cotton. McGeechan believes that the

Lions will be able to build a test side capable of beating South Africa.

"It is a worthy and, I believe, attainable objective," says McGeechan. "I am well aware of the historical aspect and that only one Lions team this century has won a series in South Africa."

Cotton and McGeechan know better than most what it takes for a Lions team to win a Test in South Africa and New Zealand. It is their task to get through to their players exactly what is required in effort, application and discipline. It is a point McGeechan will be emphasising to his players.

"Quite apart from the psychological elements, and they are considerable, I am realistic enough to, know that the players will have to lift their performances above the level of the Five Nations Championship, but I think we will have the squad to build a Test team capable of doing that," says McGeechan.

The management team - Scotland's Jim Telfer goes as assistant coach - has a wealth of experience and no little achievement in the Lions context. The squad will be announced on Wednesday and Ireland's representation is unlikely to be more than five or six - and possibly fewer. Without giving away anything in relation to their final choice, both men concede that England will have the major representation in the 35 man squad.

"There are quite a few very good players from the other countries available to us, too and there is enough quality to build a very formidable squad. It will be extremely difficult, but then it has always been like that. South Africa go into the series as World champions. They did not win the Tri Nations last season, but that is really not a factor. They will be playing at home," adds McGeechan.

Prior to last summer, New Zealand had never won a Test series against the Springboks in South Africa. That is revealing in relation to the challenge facing the Lions.

"The game there is professional and has been in essence for quite some time and their players will be going into the series having played in the Super 12 tournament. That will have given the players added exposure to rugby at a very high level," says McGeechan.

"Those who arc chosen for the Lions will be presented with a great challenge, but then it is also a wonderful opportunity for the players," says Cotton, an outspoken and unrepentant critic of, much of what has gone on in the game since it went professional.

"I firmly believe in the Lions concept. That was in danger of dying and it would be a great shame for the game had that happened. It is very important for the players from the four home unions, and important that the four home unions stand firm in support of each other rather than have one or more seeking to go their own way for their own reasons. This team will now carry the flag for rugby in these islands. There is a belief that we are way behind the big powers in the southern hemisphere.

"I cannot say whether professionalism will widen or narrow the gap, but it would be a tremendous boost for rugby here if we came back from South Africa with a Test series victory," says Cotton.

"Rugby rushed into professionalism on a day in Paris in August 1995. The game here was not ready for it. They were much better prepared in the southern hemisphere for obvious reasons. I do not think that the transition was handled very well by the administrators in these parts, but you are in a market forces situation and gradually things will settle," says McGeechan.

"I admit that it has not helped Ireland, Scotland and Wales that they have lost so many players to the club game in England, and obviously we want the game in all four home countries to be strong. The stronger they are the better it will be for the Lions."

"What has happened at club level is detrimental to the game in all four countries," believes Cotton. "I cannot see what it is doing for English rugby to have so many players from other countries playing in the Courage League. Personally, I would hand them all an incentive to return to their home bases and the RFU should consider that carefully."

Both men feel that the standard in the Five Nations varied considerably. "It was high in some matches, not so in others," says Cotton. Those sentiments found ready agreement from the coach.

"You must always remember that all Lions teams play away from home and that can be a very big factor," says Cotton. "I would be confident we could pick a team to beat any of the southern hemisphere countries in a Test series played in these islands."

McGeechan, in fact, is an advocate of the Lions playing a series at home. "That suggestion might not go down well in some quarters, but I see great merit in it," he says.

McGeechan will have more players available to him than any Lions coach in history. "Obviously the broader the base of selection the better, but what we have to do is keep all the players happy and totally focussed on, tour. Players react differently on tour. In the current climate in which the game is played, teams are now basically 21 players, rather than 15, what with tactical substitutions."

Cotton makes the point that injuries are a crucial factor on a tour. "If we can call on our best team for the three Tests then I think we can win the series," he says.

The Lions management team will have a back up team unprecedented in numbers and depth. In addition to the manager, coach and assistant coach, there is a special analyst also going. Andy Keast of Harlequins will have the job of studying videos and studying the opposition. The Lions are also bringing their own special fitness adviser, a media liaison man, and their own medical team of doctor, physiotherapist and masseur. They will also have their own baggage man.

The players will be paid a basic salary of £10,000 for the tour. There will be further financial incentives and with win bonuses, especially in relation to the Tests, the players could earn up to £18,000.

Cotton was adamant that a clause was written into the contract that no player can contribute newspaper articles during the tour. "Allowing that would not be conducive to team spirit. For very obvious reasons, it could be extremely disruptive," says Cotton.

The squad's composition will be revealed on Wednesday morning at 11.30.