Gatland open to leading Lions to South Africa

Warren Gatland has pleaded with the British and Irish Lions to give the tourists better preparation time if they want to beat South Africa in four years.

The New Zealander said yesterday he would be open to the idea of leading a Lions tour for a third time in 2021 after ending his second tour as an unbeaten head coach on Saturday when the three-Test series with New Zealand ended tied following a 15-15 draw in the decider at Eden Park.

Yet he is also understood to be coveting the All Blacks top job, which is expected to become vacant after the 2019 World Cup, although those ambitions, and that of Ireland boss and fellow Kiwi Joe Schmidt, were dealt a blow yesterday by the incumbent, Steve Hansen, who said his successor should be appointed from within the current coaching set-up.