WARREN GATLAND IS in talks to manage the British and Irish Lions for next year’s tour of Australia.

The Wales coach recently guided his young side to the Six Nations Grand Slam, and was offered the Lions job after an interview last Wednesday, according to the Telegraph.

Although Gatland is currently on holiday in New Zealand, his representatives have opened discussions with the Lions board and he is expected to be confirmed in the role at the start of next month.

The board insist that whoever coaches the Lions does so on a 12-month contract, meaning that Gatland would have to step down as Wales boss for the Autumn internationals and next year’s Six Nations.

Although the former Ireland coach is keen to remain with the Welsh set-up while preparing for the Lions tour, the Lions board believes that its head coach should be in situ, full-time, for at least six months before the start of the tour.

Should he take on the role, it is likely that the Welsh Rugby Union will ask assistants Rob Howley and Robin McBryde to lead Wales on an interim basis next year.

For more information, check out the Telegraph website here >

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