Warren Gatland to be confirmed as Lions coach for New Zealand tour
Wednesday 7 September 2016 12:11, UK
Warren Gatland will lead the British and Irish Lions on next summer's tour to New Zealand, it is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday.
It will be Gatland's third successive tour and his second as head coach after masterminding the 2-1 series victory over Australia in 2013, the Lions' first success for 16 years.
The 52-year-old Kiwi will begin his sabbatical from his job as Wales boss immediately by travelling to New Zealand on Thursday accompanied by tour manager John Spencer to begin planning.
The 10-fixture schedule facing the Lions has grown even more challenging with the news that All Blacks will be available to play for their Super Rugby teams for the early tour matches.
It means the Blues, Highlanders and Crusaders will be at, or close to, full strength with the trio of fixtures taking place over seven days from June 7 to June 13.
In recent history, internationals have been rested to keep them fresh to face the Lions in the Test series, but selector Grant Fox insists New Zealand will adopt a different approach for 2017.
"The Super Rugby sides will be loaded up with All Blacks early because there's a bit of time from game one to the first Test," Fox told the New Zealand Herald.
"They need to play and then as we get closer to the Tests some of those franchises will have less access to the All Blacks as we start preparing for the series."
The tour includes five fixtures against Super Rugby sides with the Chiefs and Hurricanes completing the list, an opener against a provincial union team, a clash with the New Zealand Maori and three Tests.
"It's a really tough tour," Gatland has previously said. "I'm not saying the Lions can't win, it's just a tough schedule."
Watch the announcement of the British and Irish Lions coach for the 2017 tour to New Zealand on Sky Sports News HD from midday.
