The former Scottish Rugby Union director of rugby has enjoyed acclaimed success as head coach on previous Lions tours.

But Sir Clive Woodwards Test team were whitewashed by New Zealand in three matches this summer and now the Wasps coach concedes he does not expect to travel with the Lions again.

McGeechan told The Scotsman: ''I don't see my being involved again.

I think this is it for me and I will look back on six wonderful tours, lots of highs and lows, but great enjoyment.''

But McGeechan defended Woodward from criticism after the disappointing series.

He added: ''I would never accept that the All Blacks were just too good for us and nothing we could have done would have been successful.

''We lost some huge players to the northern hemisphere game in the last year - Martin Johnson for instance, and Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill on this tour. And Brian O'Driscoll. You need these sorts of players in a Test series like this.

''But the Lions is about taking a snapshot of rugby for one, brief period.

Whenever you do a Lions preparation, it's where you are at that particular point and what you think as a coach will work.

Clive took a snapshot view of 'this is the way I think is the best preparation to beat the All Blacks', and that's what he got the backing for. The next Lions coach will take his own view.

''If the answer was easy, everyone would be doing the same thing, but it isn't because things like injuries, how serious they are and when they occur; players' form and ability to gel, are all things you can't control.

''But the atmosphere on this tour has been outstanding. I looked around at the players after my final midweek game, against Auckland, and it reminded me why I want to be a rugby coach in a tracksuit, which is why I'm joining Wasps and no longer going to work in a suit.