Warren Gatland has insisted that coaching the British & Irish Lions in 2017 is still an option for him despite having signed a new long-term contract with Wales today.
Gatland coached the Lions to their first series win since 1997 when they beat Australia in the summer and has been installed as the early favourite to lead the side again when they tour his native New Zealand in 2017.
The 50-year-old has admitted that he did not have a clause in his contract that would allow him to take a sabbatical from Wales to coach the Lions for a second time, but claims that he does have a gentleman's agreement with WRU boss Roger Lewis.
"The contract this time is exactly the same as what I had last time, and I've spoken to Roger Lewis. If I had the opportunity to be involved again, that's going to be because of Wales being successful in the next couple of years. If my whole focus and contemplation is on Wales then if Wales are successful then you put yourself in the frame," Gatland told PA.
"Then after that it's potentially maybe the Lions approaching you, then it's negotiating release with the WRU. And that's exactly what happened in 2012 before the Lions this year. So nothing's changed with regard to that, and Roger's said to me even though there's not a release in my contract he will do everything he can to help support me, and to hopefully make it happen if I did happen to get offered that position again.
"But it's not something that I'm contemplating at the moment or thinking about, my whole focus is on Wales doing well. If Wales do well then potentially other opportunities open up."
Gatland, who is already Wales's longest serving coach, will now be in charge of the team until the 2019 Rugby World Cup, extending his tenure to 12 years.
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