Warren Gatland Has Held Informal Conversations For 2021 Lions Job

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has held "informal conversations" over coaching the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

Gatland will step down after the 2019 World Cup and has overseen two previous Lions tours. He led the tourists to a 2-1 win against Australia in 2013 and a drawn series in New Zealand four years later.

The 55-year-old has now said a third tour in charge was "definitely a possibility". The New Zealander was speaking at a Welsh Rugby Union event in Cardiff on Wednesday night.

Gatland told an audience of Welsh rugby supporters he would take a break from the game after standing down as Wales coach following the Rugby World Cup in Japan this autumn.

The Wales boss admitted he could then potentially take the Lions role for the 12 months in the lead-up to the 2021 tour of South Africa where 10 years ago he was forwards coach in Sir Ian McGeechan's team.

McGeechan is the only man to lead the Lions on three successive tours and Gatland could follow suit.

A Lions spokesperson said: "There will be a number of candidates looked at for the position of British & Irish Lions head coach for the 2021 tour.

"That process hasn't begun yet, but decisions will be made in due course. The recruitment process has not yet been agreed."

Via: BBC Sport