British and Irish Lions coach for New Zealand tour to be named next month

Wales coach Warren Gatland is the likely contender to be in charge of the British and Lions team during the tour of New Zealand next year.

The board is expected to make the announcement on the coach on 7th September as the team is set to play three Tests against All Blacks while they will also take on Provincial Union XV, Maori All Blacks and other Super Rugby sides.

England coach Eddie Jones, who had a stupendous success with the red rose team taking them to a Grand Slam victory during the 2016 Six Nations and also a 3-0 series whitewash in Australia has already expressed his unwillingness to take the role of British and Lions.

In 2013, under Gatland, British and Lions had a fairly successful tour of Australia as they won eight out of the 10 games including two Test victories against the Wallabies.

In the recent tour of New Zealand, Wales were outclassed by the All Blacks defeating them 3-0 but the Welsh Rugby Union's decision to grant eight-month sabbatical to Gatland from his national post for the Lions role will work in his favour.

Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones and England hooker Dylan Hartley are the front contenders for captaining the Lions team.