I’ve had a number of approaches but none from England, insists Gatland

Wales head coach Warren Gatland says he has received a number of approaches about a possible post-world Cup job but insists England have not contacted him.

The New Zealander says that he has not spoken to England, who have been linked with recruiting him as Eddie Jones’ potential long-term successor.

Gatland will step down as Wales head coach after the World Cup in Japan later this year, ending a reign which has included three Six Nations Grand Slams.

Asked about his future, Gatland said: “I’ve had quite a number of approaches from different places. It’s a matter of making the right decision at the right time. But my whole focus is about the next six or seven months and Wales and the World Cup. I am not too worried about whether I have a job or not for a while. I’m a great believer in what will be will be. I haven’t spoken to England at all. I think they were quite clear in what they were doing in terms of not making any appointments or talking to anyone until post-rugby World Cup.”

Gatland is also a firm favourite to coach the 2021 British and Irish Lions in South Africa – it would be his third successive tour as Lions boss if appointed. But, after naming a 42-man Wales World Cup training squad on Tuesday, he added: “This is not about the Lions, this is about Wales. I’m not going to speak about that.”

Uncapped Cardiff Blues players Owen Lane and Rhys Carre, meanwhile, have been included in the training squad, a group that comprises 19 backs and 23 forwards.