Gareth Edwards backs Lions to win in South Africa

He spoke to The Wharf about the challenge and what being a Lion means to the players. The 61-year-old thinks it will be difficult but the tourists have the players to win.

He said: "They will have a mountain to climb every game. It's a very tough place to play, very hard physically and mentally, especially for the forwards. The biggest thing will be the preparation of South Africa. They are world champions and an exceptionally good team.

"But the Lions will be up for the challenge. They have a lot of good players and if they get the team spirit right they could surprise them. Team spirit is always a big ingredient in success."

The tour squad was announced last week by coach Ian McGeechan, with Ireland forward Paul O'Connell surprisingly named captain. He pipped his national skipper Brian O'Driscoll to the job, but Edwards believes O'Connell could prove an inspirational choice.

He said: "I think Ian learned a lot when Willie John McBride was his captain in South Africa in 1974. We knew that series would be won upfront and Willie John fitted the bill.

"As coach Ian picked Martin Johnson in 1997 and he sees the same requirement for this tour. There's no doubt we need someone in the engine room and Paul will give that. That's where the leadership is required.

"Brian will be great lieutenant in the backs, but these are all experienced international players and everyone will have a part to play."

Edwards played 10 test for the Lions over three tours, and was part of the legendary sides who triumphed in New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974. He is adamant there should alway be a place for the Lions despite the demands of modern international rugby.

He said: "It's future has been discussed many times but all the players look at it as the pinnacle of their careers. Even though they play a dozen or more international games a year they all still want to be part of it. It's a tradition that has to be maintained and nurtured.

"To see the thrill and genuine delight of all those selected was great. Even players who have won the World Cup place the Lions above that. There should be no question about the Lions place in the calendar. I'm biased but I'm happy to be so."

And Edwards believes the achievements of the 1971 and 1974 Lions helped cement the legacy of the touring side.

Both tours saw the Lions beat their highly-vaunted opponents on home turf and made the southern hemisphere sides start taking European rugby more seriously.

"We didn't realise at the time what we had achieved," said Edwards.

"There wasn't the media coverage then that there is now and, although we were aware of the support we had, most of it went over our heads.

"But for the game in this country it made a huge difference. To beat the two best teams in the world when we were not expected to have a hope was amazing.

"It had far reaching consequences because it meant kids wanted to play the game and anything that does that must be good.

"From a personal point of view it was marvellous to be part of Lions folklore. We had a special bond and team spirit, and that stays with you for the rest of your life."

Edwards' place in the pantheon of greats is secured. He won 53 caps for Wales between 1967 and 1978 in what was a golden era for rugby in the Principality. He is modest about his own achievements in the game, even though he was voted the greatest player of all time in a 2003 player poll.

"I don't really think about that," he said. "It's an honour but it's very subjective. It's hard to compare different players from different eras who play in different positions.

"And I always say if it wasn't for the forwards giving me the ball then I wouldn't have been remembered for anything."

Edwards rates Irish legend Mike Gibson and fellow Welsh wizard Barry John as two of the best he played with, but he thinks there is a case for a whole lot more from his playing days.

He said: "It was an era of outstanding players and I was fortunate to play alongside the likes of Willie John McBride, Gerald Davies, JPR Williams. People still refer to these players by their first names, that's how great they were."

Does he miss his playing days?

"No, I don't miss playing really. I would have loved to have played for ever but that's never achievable.

"I'm just happy to play when I did and I enjoy being involved now through the media and with the Cardiff Blues.

"When you look at people like the guys who play on the seniors golf tour you wonder what it would be like to be still competing, but even they have to work hard to maintain the quality. It just wouldn't work with rugby, it's too hard and physical a game.

"But I love meeting up with the old players at games when we have a beer and a laugh. I don't have any complaints about my career."

For more on the Lions tour visit lionsrugby.com.

HSBC is the principal partner of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa this summer.