Warren Gatland backs Eddie Jones for Lions job

Editor

Warren Gatland has touted Eddie Jones to take over from him as the next British and Irish Lions coach for the 2021 tour of South Africa.

Gatland has overseen the Lions' last two tours, a 2-1 win in Australia in 2013 followed by a 1-1 draw in his native New Zealand in 2017.

And Gatland believes England coach Jones has all the right attributes to do a fine job.

"He’d do a great job as Lions coach. 3-0 would be expected. It’s probably the easiest of the three tours isn’t it?" Gatland said at a media conference on Tuesday after naming his Wales side to face Jones’s England in the Six Nations on Saturday.

"I’m learning from him. He’s doing a great job so I’m watching him pretty closely. I’m just intrigued by watching him, the way he coaches his team. You learn as much as you possibly can from everyone. That’s part of the game."

In the opening round of the Six Nations, Wales eased past Scotland 34-7 in Cardiff while England bulldozed Italy 46-15 in Rome.

Gatland said the secret to winning at Twickenham, where Wales last had success in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, was not being intimidated and believing in oneself.

"It’s about being prepared to play at a high intensity. Play with composure and patience and that’s the key. Not being intimidated by the Twickenham factor at all. There are a lot of guys in this squad who will go there with a lot of confidence.

"Everyone talks about how much they dislike the English but I think the relationship between England and Wales has always been close. It’s the rugby that brings the two nations together. I think that’s what makes the relationship special."

Wales named an unchanged starting 15 for Saturday’s game. Jones will announce his England team on Thursday.