Two of our coaches with the Lions.. now that's Tandy

Scots duo set to join staff in South Africa

- DAVID BARNES

YOU wait 12 years for a Scotland coach on a Lions tour then two end up being involved at the same time.

When boss Warren Gatland names his assistants for this summer’s trip to South Africa today, it’s expected that Gregor Townsend and Steve Tandy will be put in charge of attack and defence respectively.

That will be good news for around a dozen Scotland players who are in the frame for selection for the tour when the 36-man squad is revealed on May 6.

For those Scots hopefuls, it means there’s now two influential voices with firsthand knowledge of what they can add to the squad sitting in the selection meetings.

Scotland have had three or less players in the initial squad for each of the last five tours but a recent run of impressive wins on the road against Wales, England and France has raised hopes of a bumper crop this summer.