By Mitch Phillips
LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) - Gregor Townsend, Robin McBryde, Steve Tandy and Neil Jenkins were named as assistants to British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland for this year's tour of South Africa on Tuesday.
Scotland head coach Townsend, who played flyhalf for the Lions in their triumphant 1997 South Africa series, will look after the Lions attack.
Jenkins, the goalkicking hero of that 1997 series, will be on his fourth tour as kicking coach. Former Wales assistant coach McBryde will oversee the forwards, with Scotland's defence coach Tandy something of a surprise for that role under Gatland.
"A Lions Tour is a unique challenge, so it's important to have some continuity in the coaching group," Gatland said in a statement ahead of his third stint as head coach.
"Neil understands the exceptional demands that only a Lions Tour can present, and we will benefit from his knowledge and experience.
"But it's also important to have new voices and a fresh perspective. Gregor is doing an excellent job in charge of Scotland and is an outstanding coach. He also understands the challenges of touring South Africa as a player and what it takes to win there.
"Steve has made Scotland's defence one of the most organised in world rugby – something we saw throughout the recent Six Nations."
Gatland said he knew McBryde well from their time in Wales.
"He is an impressive and experienced coach who continues to have success with Leinster. I think he'll be well suited to the Lions environment and I am sure he will do an excellent job with the forwards.
Jenkins, who also toured as a player in 2001, said: "To bring together the best players from four countries and take on the Springboks in their own backyard is very exciting. To do it with one of my Lions team mates from 24 years ago is incredibly special for me."
Ireland coach Andy Farrell, Leicester coach Steve Borthwick and Munster forwards coach Graham Rowntree, all experienced Lions coaches, last week made themselves unavailable for the tour for various reasons.
The tour is scheduled for July and August, ending with three tests against the world champions, who have not played a game since beating England in the 2019 World Cup final.
The Lions will have a warm-up against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26 before embarking on the eight-match tour, though venues and match details have yet to be confirmed due to the COVID-19 situation in South Africa.