Wales coach Warren Gatland has reportedly held talks over the possibility of coaching the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, the BBC report.
Gatland, who is set to step down from his position as Wales’ head coach after the World Cup this year, has previously led the Lions in two tours.
The 55-year-old guided the Lions to a 2-1 series win over Australia in 2013, before leading them to a drawn series against New Zealand four years later.
And talking to a group of Welsh rugby supporters at an event on Wednesday alongside former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton, Scott Quinnell, Martyn Phillips and Eddie Butler, Gatland revealed he would be taking a break after the World Cup with Wales and could then return 12 months later to lead the Lions against South Africa.
Gatland has reportedly held “informal conversations” over leading the Lions for the third time, with a Lions spokesperson responding by stating the process into finding a head coach for the tour hasn’t begun yet.
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.”
However, with Gatland’s admission on Wednesday evening, the New Zealander is now the front runner to land the position for the 2021 tour.
