Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan is expected to be confirmed as head coach of the 2009 British and Irish Lions tomorrow - and dissenting voices are impossible to find.
McGeechan, 61, is synonymous with the Lions having been involved in a record six tours as a player (1974, 1977), assistant coach (2005) and head coach (1987, 1993, 1997).
The Scot's seventh would see him lead the Lions' assault on world champions South Africa and attempt a repeat of his famous 1997 triumph over the Springboks.
McGeechan was the outstanding candidate in what very quickly became a one-horse race.
Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan was at one stage tipped for the job but a disastrous World Cup and poor Six Nations in the spring ended his ambitions and contract with the IRFU.
Wales' Grand Slam-winning coaching team of Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards could well be appointed assistants but neither was in the running for the top job.
The WRU chose not to nominate their own head coach for the Lions role, while England and Ireland have both only recently appointed new men in charge and Scotland's Frank Hadden never entered the equation.
South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White initially voiced an interest in leading the Lions against his own country but McGeechan was always the cast-iron favourite.
"And rightly so," said Lions legend Gareth Edwards, a team-mate of McGeechan's in 1974. "He has all the credentials. What is vitally important is that at a time when there are still questions asked about Lions tours — are they necessary? — he knows the very ethos and the meaning of a Lions tour."
Gavin Hastings, captain under McGeechan in 1993, speaks passionately on that subject and is convinced McGeechan can repair an image he believes was tarnished by the 2005 tour.
Three years ago, Clive Woodward was in charge and headed for New Zealand armed with a giant squad of 51, 26 backroom staff and plans to create the blueprint for all future Lions tours.
McGeechan and Gareth Jenkins were unbeaten as midweek coaches — but the All Blacks swept to a 3-0 Test series victory and, in many ways, Hastings is glad they did.
He said: "In 2005 we went a long way towards losing that aura. It became a bit of a circus.
"It just feels right that in this instance 'Geech' is there. He is a very astute, clever and experienced man. He commands huge respect."
