HOWLEY AND YOUNG IN MIX TO REPLACE GATLAND

WALES hope to announce Warren Gatland’s successor as head coach by next summer.

New Zealander Gatland (right), who has been in charge of Wales since late 2007, will leave his post after the 2019 World Cup in Japan. It is understood that a list of eight possible contenders has already been whittled down to three candidates.

Speaking to reporters after their AGM, Welsh RU chairman and former international fly-half Gareth Davies said: “We’ve been very busy boys over the last six months talking to various people, and we are making progress.

“We have caught up with various people when we’ve had the chance to do so.”

Current Wales assistant coach Rob Howley, who has twice stepped up to the lead coach role for season-long stints when Gatland has been on Lions duty, could be in the frame as a successor, while Wasps rugby director Dai Young also has his admirers.

The WRU, meanwhile, is set to tap into Gatland’s specialist knowledge before a successor is unveiled.

“Warren hasn’t been involved in the interview process so far,” Davies explained. “But we will want to use him moving forward in terms of who gets the job.”

Gatland is set to announce his squad for the autumn Tests later this month, with Wales facing Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa between November 11 and December 2.