Stephen Jones' latest Rolling Maul blog for The Times takes a look at the personalities needed to win a Lions tour.
"What will be the shape of the Lions party? I have reported on six tours, and got to know coach McGeechan a little over that time. I would guess that when the party emerges, there will be very few flyers taken and very few people named for the experience, possibly none.
"McGeechan likes what he once called "Test match animals." In Australia in 1989, the two Lions hookers were Brian Moore, who was small and had no great pretensions as an all-round footballer, and Ireland's Steve Smith, who was around four stone heavier than Moore, could throw, carry the ball and had a turn of foot in the loose.
"Moore played in all three Tests. He set out his stall, trained hard, played fanatically and made up for any physical shortfall. "Test match animal," was McGeechan's summary.Expect the party to be as full as possible with players of a similar attitude, a harshness, and intensity. The party is out soon, but fresh it will not be."
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