Edinburgh's Blair earns McGeechan's praise

EDINBURGH RUGBY captain Mike Blair will lead his side into Heineken European Cup action against Leinster at Murrayfield this weekend on the back of a glowing tribute from British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan.

As pre-tournament boosts go, they hardly come bigger or better than the words of encouragement provided to player as – on his own admission – McGeechan prepares to step up the selection hunt while doubling up as director of rugby at Euro contenders and Edinburgh pool rivals, London Wasps.

And at the heart of the ringing endorsement from ex-Scotland cap McGeechan is a belief that his country is particularly well-served at scrum-half with Blair sharing duties last season with Chris Cusiter (Perpignan) and Rory Lawson (Gloucester).

While coupling his remarks with a reminder that there will be no substitute for consistency over the next few months, it cannot do Blair's Lions prospects any harm to hear McGeechan say:

"It is good to see Mikey becoming a fantastic player now. He has the skills and the pace to play with confidence.

"He was just coming through in 2003 (around the time McGeechan left his post as Scotland boss] and it is great to see how he has developed.

"He is developing into an outstanding player."

Maintaining that competition for places is key, McGeechan added: "One of the strengths for Scotland at the moment is the challengers at scrum-half.

"There are two or three good players really vying for that position."

That could be interpreted as Cusiter being in contention to repeat his 2005 tour call with the pedigreed Lawson (his father, Alan, represented Scotland in the same position) in the hunt also.

McGeechan, pictured right, added: "That competition is what coaches need and, while I think Mike is the (Scotland] front runner, it keeps them honest (in their endeavours]."

McGeechan will soon have a chance to talent spot for himself with Wasps and Edinburgh meeting in back-to-back matches later in the Heineken Cup.

And while Wasps are twice tournament winners, whereas Edinburgh have only once reached the quarter-finals, McGeechan hints that a pool also containing Leinster and Castres Olympique is wide open.

"Edinburgh are a good side and (coach] Andy Robinson has made a tremendous difference.

"I've always rated Andy as a coach and he's done a great job at Edinburgh.

"Even before Chris Paterson came back (from Gloucester] he has shown how he gets his priorities right.

"All the players are quite clear about what is expected of them and you are seeing the benefits of that in Edinburgh's performances."

Undoubtedly that was a reference to a storming finish to last season while recognising the opportunities exist for league strugglers Edinburgh to take advantage of a fresh start in European competition.

In taking nothing for granted about qualification, McGeechan was unequivocal about the advantages of an away win.

"Winning away from home is always a big challenge and everyone knows you have to sneak one of those victories.

"Any team reaching the knock-out stages will, somewhere down the line, have had a big away performance and that will be the same in our group."

While referring to how "Europe, November internationals and Six Nations" are key elements in his Lions selection, McGeechan is careful to recognise the importance of bread and butter league rugby.

Here, Celtic League players could have extra opportunities to express themselves through an absence of relegation in a situation not shared by their English-based rivals. So, would McGeechan be factoring that into his processes?

"One thing I've learned from the (Guinness] Premiership over the last three or four years is that there is a lot of good rugby played and nothing inhibits it greatly," he says.

But, if the Scottish, Irish and Welsh can expect no short-cuts, then perhaps McGeechan's Wasps are under a bit more pressure in that individuals will find inspiration knowing the next Lions guru is looking on from the stands.

"I think that's happening already," he says.

McGeechan, who, it should never be forgotten, stayed true to his Scottish honours by once turning down the chance to coach England, also laughed off concerns sparked by Wasps' stuttering start to their league.

The smart money says they will improve but is there a parallel between these two-time Euro winners and Edinburgh, who may be saving their best form for Europe's blue riband Heineken Cup – starting on Saturday against Leinster.