Warren Gatland to be announced as Lions coach - reports

Warren Gatland. Photo / Getty Images.

Warren Gatland is set to become the second coach to lead the Lions on major back-to-back tours, the Guardian reported.

The Kiwi, who coaches Wales, is expected to be announced as the head coach of the British and Irish side which will tour New Zealand next year.

Gatland is expected to take a 10 month sabbatical from coaching Wales, as he did four years ago in the lead up to the Lions' tour of Australia which saw them win the test series 2-1.

Only Scotsman Ian McGeehan had previously head coached the side on back-to-back tours.