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Wales coach Warren Gatland says he would be interested in coaching the British and Irish Lions for a second time when they tour his native New Zealand in 2017.
The 50-year-old enjoyed a triumphant first experience as Lions coach earlier this year when he led the tourists to a 2-1 series win in Australia.
It was the Lions’ first series win in 16 years and Gatland’s role in it saw him named UK Coach of the Year and High-Performance Coach of the Year at the UK Coaching Awards in London this week.
“It was an incredible experience. To be involved, I was humbled and privileged,” he told BBC Radio Five.
“For me to go to New Zealand would be a great opportunity in 2017, but there is a huge amount of water to pass under the bridge before that. For me, the focus over the next couple of years is doing well for Wales.

	For me to go to New Zealand would be a great opportunity in 2017, but there is a huge amount of water to pass under the bridge before that

	Warren Gatland
“And if Wales do well in the Six Nations and the [2015] World Cup, then you put yourself in the frame to hopefully be asked again.
“You never know, and if I was asked to do it again and particularly in my own country, it would be something I would relish.”
The Lions clinched the series win over Australia with a stunning 41-16 third-Test victory in Sydney, after Gatland controversially dropped experienced Ireland centre and legend Brian O’Driscoll.
The New Zealander admitted the furore provoked by the decision took him by surprise.
Asked if he had been prepared for the backlash, he said: “I wasn’t.
“I think that people out in Australia weren’t aware of the almost hysteria that created, but that’s sport and you’ve got to stand by your beliefs, put your hand on your heart and sometimes make some tough decisions.”
Meanwhile, Wales will play the southern hemisphere’s “big three” again in the next year end-of-year internationals, the Welsh Rugby Union said.
World champions New Zealand, South Africa and Australia will all visit the Millennium Stadium in November together with Fiji.
Wales lost to both South Africa and Australia last month, part of a woeful record of 22 defeats in their last 23 tests against the Sanzar (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia) trio under Gatland.
They’ve suffered 18 consecutive defeats by the big three since beating Australia back in 2008, with the Wallabies winning their last nine internationals against 2015 World Cup pool rivals Wales.
Next year’s matches against New Zealand, Australia and Fiji will all take place during the International Rugby Board’s “window” for November Tests, with South Africa, as was the case with the Wallabies this year, the fourth match of the programme.
All four fixtures are subject to IRB approval.


Gatland eyes coaching Lions for New Zealand tour in 2017

Coach Warren Gatland with fly half Jonathon Sexton during the British and Irish Lions tour in Australia in midyear. Photo: AFP

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