Warren Gatland expected to be named Lions head coach

Warren Gatland is likely to be asked to reprise a role he performed with distinction three years ago. Picture: Getty.

Wales’ Warren Gatland is expected to retain the position he held for the series triumph over Australia in 2013 when the chosen candidate is unveiled at a press conference in Edinburgh.

Eddie Jones would have been the clear favourite had England’s head coach and his Rugby Football Union paymasters not stated categorically in the aftermath of the 3-0 whitewash of the  Wallabies in June that he is unavailable.

Jones has enjoyed a remarkable maiden year at the helm, masterminding a first Grand Slam for 13 years before presiding over the rout of  Australia – just months after virtually the same squad of players had slumped at the World Cup.

RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie has made it clear to the Lions’ board that the 56-year-old Australian is not to be considered, while Jones himself has said he is “completely unavailable” in order to focus on building for Japan 2019.

It clears a path for Gatland to preside over the elite of British and Irish rugby for a second tour having led the 2013 party to a first series  victory since South Africa in 1997.

Wales fell to a 3-0 whitewash by New Zealand in June, but Gatland is an  experienced and  canny operator and keen to reprise a role he performed with distinction three years ago.

Furthermore, the Welsh Rugby Union has granted the 52-year-old Kiwi permission to take the eight-month  sabbatical from his national post demanded by the Lions.

The only viable alternative to Gatland is Ireland’s Joe Schmidt, but his stock has fallen since plotting back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2014 and 2015.

There is no release clause in his contract.

Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones and England hooker Dylan Hartley are the main  contenders to captain the Lions through a brutal  itinerary headlined by two Tests in Auckland and one in Wellington.

Meanwhile, Irish Pro12 side Munster are reported to have signed South African  full-back Jaco Taute on an  initial five-month contract.

South African newspaper Rapport said Munster signed Taute as a replacement for the injured Francis Saili and that Western Province will not oppose the move.

While Taute’s contract is only for five months, Munster’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has plans to extend it. Taute made his debut for the Springboks in 2012 and subsequently moved from Johannesburg-based Super Rugby club Lions to Cape Town-based Stormers.