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21 hours ago
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Sir Ian McGeechan, the former head coach of Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, has urged rugby players and all younger men to get themselves tested after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 78-year-old, who is currently consultant director of rugby at Championship club Doncaster, led Scotland to the grand slam in the 1990 Five Nations. McGeechan oversaw four series as the Lions head coach, defeating Australia in 1989 and South Africa in 1997. He also led the team on tours of New Zealand in 1993 and South Africa again in 2009.
McGeechan told the Telegraph: “I have prostate cancer. I have just completed a six-week course of radiotherapy. I feel alright, really, just a bit more tired. I always sleep well anyway so it has probably just added to it. I have to wait six weeks, then have scans and a review of how effective the treatment has been.
“I have told the players here [at Doncaster] before the treatment started, because there would be times when I would not be around for meetings or on the training field with them. The players have asked me how it is going and have been very good.”
“I don’t want to make a big thing of it, but it is important to get the message out about urging people to go and get tested. I said that to our players here. I said to them that they make sure they get themselves tested. If you are younger, it is more important.
Leeds-born McGeechan concluded: “When I had my last treatment, from the receptionist to the radiographer, they all said, ‘Well done, good luck, have a happy time’. Everyone. That support and the environment is so positive. What will be, will be.”
A fly-half during his playing career, McGeechan won 32 Scotland caps including nine as captain. He also took part in a winning Lions series in South Africa in 1974, before touring again with the side in New Zealand in 1977. As a coach at club level, he won the Heineken Cup with Wasps in 2007 and the English Premiership in 2008.
