Rowntree named Lions scrum coach

Rowntree was part of the successful Lions tour to South Africa in 1997

England coach Graham Rowntree is to join the British and Irish Lions for the 2009 tour to South Africa.

The 37-year-old was named scrummaging coach by Martin Johnson in August and has now been recruited to fill the same role by Lions head coach Ian McGeechan.

He is the final part of the Lions coaching team for the 10-match tour, which begins in Rustenburg on 30 May.

McGeechan has already named Wales trio Warren Gatland, Rob Howley and Shaun Edwards in his backroom team.

606: DEBATE With Geech, Warren and Edwards on board then I think it's the best coaching set-up the Lions have had since they last went to SA Cardiff Taffy

Rowntree was a playing member of McGeechan's successful Lions squad which toured South Africa in 1997.

He also featured in two Tests during the 2005 tour to New Zealand - when the hosts completed a 3-0 clean sweep.

The 2009 tour features three Tests against world champions South Africa, with the first against the Springboks set to take place in Durban on June 20.

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