• Crusaders coach Scott Robertson remains eager to be part of the British & Irish Lions touring party to South Africa next year.
• The Crusaders mentor recently offered his services as an assistant to Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
• Robertson says he'll be content with a minor role like assisting the defence coach or working with the loose forwards.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson remains keen to help the British & Irish Lions beat the Springboks in South Africa next year.

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The Crusaders mentor recently offered his services as an assistant to Lions head coach Warren Gatland.

The news was greeted with trepidation by former Lions coach Ian McGeechan, who wrote in a column for The Telegraph that while he rated Robertson as one of the top coaches in the world, he believed Gatland should surround himself with personnel familiar with the Lions players.

Robertson, however, told New Zealand's Stuff website he didn't expect to take a primary assistant coaching role at the expense of someone else.

He said he could, for example, assist Lions defence coach Andy Farrell or help another group like the loose forwards.

"I am happy to help Andy Farrell out with the defence, to have more of a specialised role to allow him to get the best out of the group," Robertson said.

"You need a hand. You've got Test matches, and midweek games. Coaching staffs are big, they've got a lot of players [on Lions tours]."

Gatland recently said he took Robertson's request up with Lions management and it was being considered.

The South Africa tour - if it takes place amid the global Covid-19 pandemic - is scheduled for July-August.

Robertson is contracted at the Crusaders until the end of 2021, but the franchise's CEO Colin Mansbridge has already said it won't hinder "Razor" from coaching the team as they pursue a fifth straight Super Rugby title next year.

New Zealand Rugby was widely criticised last year when it did not appoint Robertson to replace the outgoing Steve Hansen, instead promoting assistant coach Ian Foster to the top job.

Full 2021 tour schedule:

- Saturday 3 July: British & Irish Lions v Stormers - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

- Wednesday 7 July: British & Irish Lions v South Africa 'Invitational' - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

- Saturday 10 July: British & Irish Lions v Sharks - Kings Park, Durban

- Wednesday 14 July: British & Irish Lions v South Africa "A" Team - Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

- Saturday 17 July: British & Irish Lions v Bulls - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

- Saturday 24 July (first Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions - FNB Stadium, Johannesburg

- Saturday 31 July (second Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

- Saturday 7 August (third Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions - Ellis Park, Johannesburg

- Compiled by Sport24 staff