Lions announce Warren Gatland as head coach

Wales head coach Warren Gatland was announced yesterday as head coach for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia next Summer.
It was the sport worst kept secret in the sport as the announcement was due to take place back in April but Gatland’s double heel fracture postponed the appointment until yesterday.
Gatland, 48, is the second New Zealander to coach the Lions, after Graham Henry led the party in 2001.
He said: “I am really honoured to have been asked to take the position of head coach.
“There is no question it will be one hell of a challenge; playing in the southern hemisphere is one of rugby’s hardest challenges.
“The Lions came close in South Africa two years ago and our ambition is to win the series in 2013. I believe we have the players to do that.”
The Lions will play three Tests against the Wallabies and seven tour matches, including a warm-up against the Barbarians in Hong Kong.
England fowards coach Graham Rowntree, Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards and Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt are set to be part of Gatland’s back-room staff but those appointments are not expected to be announced until October.
Despite the full-time appointment, the Kiwi has been allowed by the Lions to take charge of the Wales’ Tests against the All Blacks and Wallabies on November 24 and December 1.
Rob Howley will lead Wales into the other two Autumn tests as well as the 2013 Six Nations