Rugby: Gatland to be confirmed as Lions coach

Former All Black Warren Gatland appears likely to be confirmed as head coach of the British and Irish Lions early next month for their 2013 tour of Australia. Photo / Getty Images.

Former All Black Warren Gatland appears likely to be confirmed as head coach of the British and Irish Lions early next month for their 2013 tour of Australia.

British newspaper the Daily Mail has reported that the Lions committee is keen to name to Wales mentor as their man on September 4 after it held fire on confirming him in the job due to him being out of action with injury.

Gatland was back home in New Zealand in April, shortly after guiding Wales to the second Grand Slam of his tenure, when a fall from a ladder at his beach house left him with two fractured heels.

He has since recovered and convinced Lions officials he will be fit to take on the role after they visited him in New Zealand.