Sir Clive Woodward has targeted the man at the centre of the most successful Lions tours as he prepares for next summer's trip to New Zealand.
Former Scotland coach Ian McGeechan is a Lions legend after triumphs in Australia and then world champions South Africa in 1989 and 1997 respectively, and Woodward has identified him as a key player for his coaching staff.
The current Scottish Rugby Union director of rugby stepped away from the head coaching role last autumn to allow Matt Williams take up his mantle.
Since then, McGeechan has been working alongside SRU chief executive Phil Anderton in a bid to improve the image of the game north of the border.
But the SRU have admitted that World Cup-winner Woodward is in early negotiations with the ex-Scotland international to come onboard with the Lions.
The England coach has been in contact with SRU chiefs to grant the country's current director of rugby a temporary release from his duties.
But the Murrayfield hierarchy have not yet made a decision about letting McGeechan become part of the Lions' squad.
An SRU spokesman said: "There is informal dialogue at the moment but no decision has been taken."
McGeechan is the only British coach to have led the Lions on three successive tours but turned down the chance to take charge of trip to Australia three years ago.
He led the Lions to series wins against the Wallabies and Springboks, and in 1993 his side came close to beating New Zealand when they lost the series 2-1.
McGeechan also has the added advantage of experiencing a Lions tour from both sides after playing with the team in 1974 and 1977.
Woodward is set to name a travelling party of 70 for the gruelling tour of New Zealand, with 44 players and 26 support staff on the plane.
But it is widely anticipated that the England boss will take five or six coaches with him for the anticipated clash against former Lions coach Graham Henry's Kiwi team.
Llanelli Scarlets' coach, Gareth Jenkins, who was surprisingly overlooked for the Wales national team job when Mike Ruddock was appointed after Steve Hansen left, is also tipped to add his experience to the party.
The Lions have confirmed 10 games in total in New Zealand, with another match expected to be added shortly along with the three Tests in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
