Gatland omits Edwards from Lions backroom team for trip to Australia

Warren Gatland will not bring his Wales coach Shaun Edwards on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia next year.

The decision not to include him, despite the pair enjoying success at club and national level, is a huge surprise.

Gatland was given a free hand by the Lions committee to choose his coaches and looked to have settled on Edwards and the England duo Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree as his back-up triumvirate. But Rob Howley will be going to Australia after a change of mind by Gatland, who will explain his reasons when he introduces his coaching team.