BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

Gatland throws his hat into Lions ring

February 13 2008

Warren Gatland believes he is better placed to coach the British and Irish Lions than his 2001 predecessor Graham Henry - but insists Wales are still his priority.

Gatland has been linked with the job for the 2009 tour of South Africa, and the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed they would consider any approach from the Lions.

Wales currently do not have a senior tour arranged for that summer - but equally the WRU had their fingers burned when they allowed Henry to take charge of the 2001 Lions tour of Australia.

It proved the beginning of the end for Henry. Some of the Welsh players became disenchanted after they were overlooked for the Lions Test team and relations never recovered.

But Gatland has greater experience of northern hemisphere rugby from his stints as Ireland head coach and Wasps' director of rugby.

"Probably an advantage there would be over Graham Henry is that I have been in the northern hemisphere for so long - perhaps I understand England and Ireland," he said.

"The Lions need to consider whether they go for someone local. It's flattering to be talked about. I suppose if we win a few more games everything is possible.

"But my first job is Wales and making sure this role is done and there's development to get Welsh rugby going. I have to think long term to the 2011 World Cup. That's my number one priority. I wouldn't consider the Lions until everything here is in place."

There are few home-grown options available to the Lions. England head coach Brian Ashton has already declared he will not be available for the Lions trip to South Africa, while Eddie O'Sullivan's stock has fallen since Ireland's poor World Cup campaign.

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan is one of the favourites to be involved, 12 years after leading the Lions to their famous series win over the Springboks in 1997, and an obvious coaching triumvirate would involve Gatland, McGeechan, and Shaun Edwards, all of whom have worked closely together.

"It's one of the reasons he's (Edwards) taken the position here, because he'd dearly love to be involved with the Lions," said Gatland.

"It will obviously help that we play South Africa on a couple of occasions before the Lions tour.

"At this stage it's more important to get Shaun involved with the Lions than myself. I would love for him to have that opportunity before myself."

One person who also seems sure to be involved if Gatland is coach is Wales centre Gavin Henson, whom Gatland tipped today as a potential best in the world.

"Gavin has been fantastic in our first two games but I spoke with him at the weekend and told him that I still feel there's another level in him," Gatland said.

"I said to him: 'You can be not just the best player in the northern hemisphere in your position, but the best inside centre in the world'.

"He's big, he's strong and he has fantastic skills, he is quick and he can defend. He has everything you are looking for in a midfield player.

"He's a touch quiet off the field and introverted. I don't care what he's like off the field but we would like him to be more extroverted on the field.

"We are trying to encourage him to talk more and take responsibility. We'd like him to kick a bit more and are encouraging him to step up to first receiver.

"But I am delighted with where he is in terms of his game."