Gatland tipped for Lions

Warren Gatland was lying low in Hamilton yesterday as reports from Britain suggested the Kiwi had been offered the British and Irish Lions rugby coaching job for next year’s Australian tour.

Gatland is home for a threeweek break after coaching Wales to their latest Six Nations grand slam. However, he was not talking to the media.

The former Waikato coach and veteran of 140 games for the Mooloos told Fairfax Media he would not be speaking to any media during his visit.

The BBC reported that Gatland had been interviewed for the head coach’s position in London last week.

The appointment is expected to be finalised in the next month. Representatives of the 48-year-old coach, who has just led Wales to a second Grand Slam during his time in charge, are believed to have started contract talks.

Gatland confirmed he was home for ‘‘about three weeks’’ before returning to Wales to prepare for their three-test Australian tour in June.

However, if Gatland has got the Lions job, he will take a season off from coaching Wales.

A new job description means the Lions want their top man planning a year out from the tour. Gatland is understood to be keen to have Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards on the Lions staff.

Wales have given Gatland their blessing to take up the coveted job and return for the 2014 season.

Gatland will become the second New Zealander to handle the top job after Graham Henry coached the Lions on their 2001 Australian tour.

Gatland was an assistant coach to Ian Mcgeechan on the Lions tour to South Africa in 2009.

Meanwhile, former Waikato coach Tony Hanks has lost the coaching job at English club Sale.

Hanks stood down after Sale’s latest loss, a 45-9 home defeat by Saracens.

He was previously with London Wasps. Hanks joined Sale last July. However, he has struggled, with Sale losing 10 of their 18 games in the English Premiership, many by big margins.