Wales give Warren Gatland green light for Lions role

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has no objection to Warren Gatland coaching the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand next year.

Gatland was in charge as the Lions triumphed 2-1 in the three-match series against Australia in 2013, and Lions chief executive John Feehan said the Wales coach is the favourite to take on the position against the country of his birth for the 2017 tour.

And WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips believes if Gatland were to lead the Lions again it would only be a good thing for Wales.

"If they want to select Warren, we'd feel good about that," Phillips said.

"It's because Wales are performing well and he's coaching well. None of us would want to stand in the way of Warren getting that role.

"Although he's possibly one of the best coaches in the world, it would make him an even better coach because he would get a whole new set of experiences and we'd benefit from those in the years after he comes back.

"If he is asked, that's hopefully because we have performed well in the Six Nations."

Ireland's Joe Schmidt appears the main contender to challenge Gatland with Eddie Jones only recently taking over as England coach, and Scotland yet to challenge for the Six Nations under Vern Cotter.