Warren Gatland in running for Lions role

It's more than two-and-a-half years away, but already the talking has begun about who should be the next coach of the British and Irish Lions. Having said that he would never again take charge of a tour, Ian McGeechan last week seemed to be changing his mind. But if the Scot wants the job, then he is likely to have a challenger in the shape of Warren Gatland.

Yesterday, the hugely respected English prop, Phil Vickery, endorsed the Kiwi's candidacy. Gatland will be available to lead the Lions after it emerged his new four-year contract with the Welsh Rugby Union contains a timely five-month break clause. "I've done two Lions tours," said Vickery, "and I think Warren would be a fantastic candidate to do it again. And I hope he does. He's a guy who I have the utmost respect for. He's a typical Kiwi. He's honest, sometimes brutally, but you can be honest back. He gets the guys together and gets the best out of people. I really hope he does it again because it's very, very special."

Gatland plans to appoint a junior coaching team to lead Wales on their tour to Japan that summer after the Welsh Rugby Union agreed he could take a sabbatical. He insisted last week that the Lions did not feature in negotiations and that he just wants a chance to spend some time back in New Zealand. But Gatland, assistant to McGeechan in South Africa last summer, is considered to be one of the leading candidates to take charge in 2013 - and he has refused to rule out the possibility.

"For a Lions team to be successful is incredibly hard. It was a fantastic experience and an honour and a privilege to be involved with the players. To do it again? We'll just have to see," said Gatland.

The fact Gatland is technically available in the summer of 2013 opens the door for him to be considered for the Lions job, though there remain further hurdles to cross. Last week, Scotland on Sunday revealed that Andy Irvine would be named as tour manager for the 2013 trek to Australia and the great full-back's appointment was duly announced on Monday. Irvine said earlier this week it was unlikely any of the home nations coaches would be considered unless they could secure at least partial release from the 2013 Six Nations.

"We'll be speaking to the WRU to see what level of commitment he must give to them as opposed to the Lions," he said. "It's theoretically possible to coach the Lions and be the head coach of a national side in the Six Nations immediately prior, but it's unlikely. If we weren't looking for a complete release of Warren by the WRU, then certainly a partial release."

Irvine is considered to be sweet on the idea of McGeechan, now the Bath performance director, taking charge one more time, though he has an open mind on the matter.