McGeechan: Players ok to relax

Published: Sunday, 25. September, 2011 in category Northern Hemishere
McGeechan: Former Lions coach

Mike Tindall insists England's party days are over as they gear up for the business end of the tournament, which continues against Scotland next Saturday.

The England vice-captain has been in the spotlight since joining a group of team-mates on a night out in Queenstown a fortnight ago, when he was pictured in conversation with a woman.

Tindall admitted it was a relief to return to action in the 67-3 victory over Romania, which leaves Martin Johnson's men with one foot in the World Cup quarter-finals.

McGeechan coached the Lions tour to South Africa in 2009 and insists provided things are done in a "sensible" manner, there should be no reproach for players unwinding while away on international duty.

McGeechan told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "Players have to have a night out, they have to be able to relax.

"Yes, they know there is responsibility and I think they understand that.

"To argue they are in the wrong place or whatever, I just disagree with it.

"They have to go out, they have a drink and it was with the blessing of Martin Johnson and the management. They need that ability to switch off when you are in an intense pressured environment - not just at a World Cup, but in New Zealand.

McGeechan added: "Martin will have told them to be sensible and know that social media sites and everything else have made it a very different perspective.

"I have not heard or seen anything where it was not the case. I was just trying to work out why they [media] made so much of it."