Gatland set to be named Lions coach

Published on 24/08/2012 01:15

Warren Gatland’s appointment as head coach of the 2013 British and Irish Lions is 
expected to be confirmed on Tuesday 4 September.

Gatland, who coached Wales to the World Cup semi-finals last autumn, will become the second New Zealander to lead the Lions on tour after Graham Henry 11 years ago. As was the case with Henry, Gatland’s task will be to mastermind a Test series triumph over Australia Down Under.

Wales’ double Six Nations title and Grand Slam-winning supremo would have been confirmed in the Lions role earlier this year. But matters were put on hold while he recovered from fractures to both his heels after he fell at his holiday home in New Zealand’s Waikato region.

The Lions had initially wanted Gatland to relinquish his Wales role for a year to concentrate on tour preparations, although it would now appear he will be in charge for Wales’ autumn Test appointments with New Zealand and Australia at the Millennium Stadium. “We still haven’t signed anything yet, but it’s very close,” said Gatland.