Lions coach Ian McGeechan is forced out by Wasps

Ian McGeechan's four-year reign as London Wasps director of rugby is to end with the Lions head coach set to be replaced at the Guinness Premiership club this summer.

It is understood that McGeechan will be told of the club's decision later today and that he will be offered a consultancy role with Wasps which would allow him to adopt a similar position with London Scottish, who are desperate to regain their former status.

Steve Hayes, the new Wasps owner, is insisting that a new director of rugby is put in place swiftly to ensure Wasps have a "normal" pre-season preparation and build-up to the new campaign. McGeechan, who won Heineken Cup and league honours with Wasps, had his salary paid for by the Lions this season and split his time between that job and Wasps.

McGeechan leads the Lions to South Africa on May 24 and will have Wasps head coach Shaun Edwards alongside him. Edwards is also the Wales defence coach and the period of time both men were involved in other duties away from Wasps this season dismayed Hayes, who saw his club fail to make any impact in the cup or league despite being the defending Premiership champions.

As a result, Hayes has initiated a search for a new director of rugby but it is understood that former All Blacks coach John Mitchell and ex-Wallaby chief Eddie Jones are not being considered.

Wasps need a new forwards' coach with former England prop Trevor Woodman, currently operating in Australia, at the head of the wanted list for that job.

Wasps sources insist that the parting with McGeechan will be amicable as the Lions coach has another year of his club contract to run and that Edwards's future is safe. He is seen as a key asset and will remain as head coach, working alongside the new director of rugby.

McGeechan's departure comes at the end of a season of upheaval which has also seen England players James Haskell, Riki Flutey and Tom Palmer quit to play their rugby in France next season.

Hayes has opted to act now to ensure stability and will not allow a situation to arise again like the one which saw McGeechan otherwise involved when the club played Castres and Worcester this season.