Former Scotland and Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan says he has prostate cancer

Sir Ian McGeechan, the erstwhile caput manager of Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, has urged rugby players and each younger men to get themselves tested aft being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The 78-year-old, who is presently advisor manager of rugby astatine Championship nine Doncaster, led Scotland to the expansive slam successful the 1990 Five Nations. McGeechan oversaw 4 bid arsenic the Lions caput coach, defeating Australia successful 1989 and South Africa successful 1997. He besides led the squad connected tours of New Zealand successful 1993 and South Africa again successful 2009.

McGeechan told the Telegraph: “I person prostate cancer. I person conscionable completed a six-week people of radiotherapy. I consciousness alright, really, conscionable a spot much tired. I ever slumber good anyhow truthful it has astir apt conscionable added to it. I person to hold six weeks, past person scans and a reappraisal of however effectual the attraction has been.

“I person told the players present [at Doncaster] earlier the attraction started, due to the fact that determination would beryllium times erstwhile I would not beryllium astir for meetings oregon connected the grooming tract with them. The players person asked maine however it is going and person been precise good.

“I don’t privation to marque a large happening of it, but it is important to get the connection retired astir urging radical to spell and get tested. I said that to our players here. I said to them that they marque definite they get themselves tested. If you are younger, it is much important.

Leeds-born McGeechan concluded: “When I had my past treatment, from the receptionist to the radiographer, they each said, ‘Well done, bully luck, person a blessed time’. Everyone. That enactment and the situation is truthful positive. What volition be, volition be.”

A fly-half during his playing career, McGeechan won 32 Scotland caps including 9 arsenic captain. He besides took portion successful a winning Lions bid successful South Africa successful 1974, earlier touring again with the broadside successful New Zealand successful 1977. As a manager astatine nine level, helium won the Heineken Cup with Wasps successful 2007 and the English Premiership successful 2008.