Warren Gatland: Wales coach takes on British and Irish Lions role

Warren Gatland will lead the British and Irish Lions for a second time after he was confirmed as head coach for the 2017 tour to New Zealand.

Gatland was in charge for the 2013 visit to Australia, which resulted in a 2-1 win for the touring side, and was assistant coach under Ian McGeechan four years earlier when the Lions were beaten 2-1 in South Africa.


He will take over the role with immediate effect, taking a sabbatical from his role as coach of Wales, for whom Rob Howley is expected to be named interim coach for the autumn internationals and Six Nations championship.

The Lions have not won a series in New Zealand since 1971, and the World Cup winners have not lost a fixture on home soil since 2009.
"It's a huge honour," said Gatland. "To get that challenge, to take on the biggest job in rugby against the best team in rugby, it's very difficult to turn away.

"I've stated before that being on the other side of the fence, I know what it means to face the Lions. There is no bigger challenge and it is an honour for me.
"If there's people who believe there's no chance of us winning there, then don't get on the plane. We've got to believe we can be successful.

"Everyone wants to be involved at the highest level and that's the most important thing about this for me, to challenge myself against the best."

The tour, which takes place between June 3 and July 8 next year, will also be significantly harder than previous ones because Super Rugby teams will be allowed to field All Blacks.
The Lions play the Blues, Chiefs, Highlanders as well as three Tests against the All Blacks, and four other games during the trip.