Former Lions Brian O'Driscoll and Jason Robinson help launch a junior rugby initiative © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Hastings backs O'Driscoll to lead Lions

News: O'Driscoll eyes Lions captaincy

News: O'Driscoll hails McGeechan factor

News: O'Driscoll out to restore Lions' pride

Players/Officials: Ian McGeechan | Brian O'Driscoll

Tournaments/Tours: British and Irish Lions tour

Teams: British and Irish Lions | Ireland

Brian O'Driscoll believes Ian McGeechan is the perfect man to restore pride to the British and Irish Lions.

The Lions embark on their tour of South Africa in eight months' time when they will look to make amends for the disastrous trip to New Zealand in 2005. Under Sir Clive Woodward's leadership, and with a vast backroom staff including former Downing Street spin doctor Alastair Campbell, they slipped to a humbling 3-0 series whitewash at the hands of the All Blacks.

O'Driscoll endured a miserable tour personally, a shoulder injury bringing the captain's involvement to a premature end just seconds into the first Test. But with McGeechan back on board as head coach to try to repeat the thrilling series victory over the Springboks of 1997, the Ireland centre is confident the Lions can face the world champions with renewed confidence.

"Geech brings a lot to the role," O'Driscoll said. "He seems to have the ability to bring about great camaraderie and bond teams in such a short time, which is half the battle with a Lions tour.

"And don't forget he has already had success with the Lions, especially on the last tour to South Africa in 1997."

Casting his eye towards next summer and the challenge of taking on the Springboks on their own turf, O'Driscoll believes it could be a classic series of matches. "Playing South Africa at any time is a tough ask but it is do-able, and they can be beaten," he said. "The Springboks are under huge pressure of their own to win. There is no way they will concede another loss to the Lions without going down with a fight.

"Next summer offers players a great chance to make a little bit of history."

He added: "Whilst something which is eight months away isn't in the forefront of my mind, the players and the fans are fully aware already that this is a Lions season. There's a heck of a lot of rugby to be played before then and as a player you are almost afraid to think too much about it, as so much can happen in that period.

"You really need to be in form going into the Six Nations and then the final rounds of the Heineken Cup before you are in with a real chance of selection. To me, the Lions is the carrot dangling heavily at the end of the season."

Brian O'Driscoll is an HSBC ambassador. Together with his former Lions team-mate Jason Robinson, he launched the Irish element of the world's largest rugby union grass-roots initiative, the HSBC Rugby Festivals, yesterday in Dublin. HSBC is the Principal Partner of the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2009.