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Warren Gatland has been officially unveiled as the British and Irish Lions head coach for the 2021 tour to South Africa.<\/p>\nWarren Gatland has been officially unveiled as the British and Irish Lions head coach for the 2021 tour to South Africa.<\/p>\n
Gatland will relinquish his role as Wales boss after the World Cup and will then start his official Lions duties in August 2020.<\/p>\n
The 55-year-old will lead the Lions for the third consecutive tour, having assisted Sir Ian McGeechan in South Africa in 2009 before winning the 2013 series in Australia and drawing with New Zealand in 2017.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hugely honored and delighted to lead the Lions again,\u201d said Gatland.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is exciting and a great challenge to coach the best players from the four Home Nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lions rightly have a truly special place in the game and I jumped at the chance to be involved again when I was approached about the role.<\/p>\n
The Lions rightly have a truly special place in the game and I jumped at the chance to be involved again when I was approached about the role.<\/p>\n
\u201cSouth Africa is a special place to play rugby.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have some of the most iconic stadiums in the world which will be packed full of passionate fans, and the Springboks have shown in recent times that they are back to being one of the dominant forces in the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving toured there in 2009 I know the scale of the task ahead of us \u2013 playing in South Africa presents a number of unique challenges such as playing at altitude, while the Boks will always be physical, aggressive and highly motivated.<\/p>\n
\u201cHistory tells you it\u2019s a tough place to tour, but I am 100 per cent confident that we can go there and win. I would not be here if I thought differently.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m delighted to now have everything in place to begin full-time in August 2020 as that gives me the best possible chance to plan for South Africa, but for the time being my focus is entirely on the Rugby World Cup and delivering a successful campaign for Wales.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gatland has committed himself fully to the Lions until after the 2021 tour.<\/p>\n
The in-demand boss\u2019 long-term future remains up for debate, but he will first bid to leave Wales on a high at the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Gatland has coached Wales since 2008, and now has the chance to become the first Lions head coach to remain unbeaten on tours to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re delighted to have got our man. Warren is a world-class coach, boasts a proven track record and knows the Lions better than anyone else currently coaching in world rugby, so naturally he was our first-choice candidate from the start of the process,\u201d said Lions managing director Ben Calveley.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a unanimous decision from the Lions board and it was important that we moved swiftly and proactively to secure Warren\u2019s signature.<\/p>\n
\u201cAppointing him two years ahead of time ensures Warren can also be involved in planning the logistics and scheduling elements of the tour. I\u2019m looking forward to working alongside him to give the Lions the best chance of success in South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe supporters are central to what make the Lions special, and with the world\u2019s finest coach at the helm, excitement will grow even further.\u201d<\/p>\n