Wales boss Gatland set for Lions role

Warren Gatland looks set to be confirmed next month as head coach of the 2013 British and Irish Lions.

Wales’ double Grand Slam and RBS 6 Nations title-winning mastermind will be interviewed for the post along with Ireland boss Declan Kidney and Scotland’s Andy Robinson.

But it is thought that New Zealander Gatland’s appointment is viewed as a formality for the three-Test trip to Australia.

If Gatland, who was a key member of the Lions coaching staff in South Africa three years ago under Ian McGeechan, lands the job, it is understood that current Wales assistant Rob Howley will take charge of next season’s Six Nations campaign.

That would allow Gatland to run the rule over tour squad candidates, free from Wales commitments, with the Welsh Rugby Union’s full backing.

Gatland, 48, confirmed his status as the red hot Lions favourite by adding another impressive entry to his career coaching portfolio with Wales’ latest Grand Slam triumph.

During four years at the helm, he has won two Six Nations titles, Grand Slams and Triple Crowns with Wales, in addition to a World Cup semi-final appearance last autumn – Wales’ best performance on a global stage since 1987.

It would be a huge surprise if he does not land the Lions job for a tour highlighted by three Tests against Australia and one that starts in Hong Kong against the Barbarians.

And among those who could realistically expect coaching support roles would be Wales defence specialist Shaun Edwards and England forwards guru Graham Rowntree.

Meanwhile Wales captain Sam Warburton will see a specialist today in an attempt to gauge the extent of a shoulder injury that forced him off during Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations title clincher against France.

There were initial fears reported that he could miss Wales’ three-Test tour to Australia this summer.

It was his third different injury of this season’s Six Nations following earlier thigh and knee trouble that contributed to him playing just 160 minutes from a possible 400 in the championship. Warburton has already undergone an MRI scan, but that proved inconclusive.