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Warren Gatland: on a roll. Getty images
The Tourist

Mane man: Gatland offered top Lions job

The WRU have confirmed today they gave permission to the British and Irish Lions’ board to speak to Gatland.

THE WELSH RUGBY Union have confirmed that Wales coach Warren Gatland has been asked to lead the British and Irish Lions on their 2013 tour.

The 48-year-old New Zealander led Wales to an unbeaten run in this year’s Six Nations, his second Grand Slam since taking charge of the Welsh national team in 2007.

The WRU have confirmed today they gave permission to the British and Irish Lions’ board to speak to Gatland, but will only grant permission for him to take the job if it is alongside his current duties with Wales.

Gatland was in London last week to interview for the job and it is expected he will be unveiled as the Lions’ new head coach next month. If the WRU have their way, the New Zealander would first take over the Lions’ top job before their tour of Australia in 2013.

But the Lions’ board will require Gatland to miss Wales’ 2013 Six Nations campaign to avoid any conflict of interest, something the WRU have reportedly accepted.

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