Schmidt not expecting Lions call from Gatts

Joe Schmidt would be “flattered” if offered a coaching role for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia but the Leinster chief doesn’t expect such a call from his Kiwi compatriot Warren Gatland.

The current Wales coach will be unveiled as the Lions’ choice to succeed Ian McGeechan in London next week and Schmidt feels there will once again be a strong representation from the Principality when Gatland unveils his backroom team.

In 2009, McGeechan brought England’s Graham Rowntree to South Africa where he served as scrummaging coach but the other four assistants – Gatland, Rob Howley, Shaun Edwards and Neil Jenkins – were all taken on secondment from their duties with Wales.