Rugby Union Today: Warren Gatland named Lions head coach

Colin Newboult

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland (right) and British and Irish Lions managing director Ben Calveley pose for a photo following the press conference at Hilton Syon Park, London.

Another busy day in the rugby union game as it was confirmed that Warren Gatland would take charge of the Lions for the third time when they tour South Africa in 2021.

What’s on the site

Current Wales boss Warren Gatland is the man charged with bringing the British and Irish Lions further success when they take on South Africa in 2021. The New Zealander is unbeaten as head coach, having beaten Australia 2-1 and drawn with the All Blacks, and he will attempt to maintain that impressive record in two years’ time.

A couple of players that could go on that tour may well be plying their trade at the World Rugby U20 Championship being held in Argentina at the moment, and that tournament is one of the topics discussed in Loose Pass.

Elsewhere, teams were named for Friday’s Super Rugby encounters, with Brodie Retallick returning to the Chiefs’ XV and Will Genia and Quade Cooper reuniting for the Rebels. Check out all those squads in our Team Tracker.

What’s in the news

Ronan O’Gara will be returning to Europe following a successful stint at the Crusaders after La Rochelle announced that he would become their next head coach for the 2019/20 season.

Elsewhere, it was confirmed that All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick has extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby until 2023, which will also see him take a two-year sabbatical in Japan.

What’s on social media

The countdown to the World Cup in Japan has reached a significant milestone…

What’s on TV

The Top 14 concludes this weekend when Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne, who finished in the top-two during the regular season, go head-to-head on Sky Sports in what should be a thrilling final in Paris.

That channel also broadcasts all the Super Rugby action as the competition reaches the final round. The Conference winners have been decided but it is very tight in the race for the other play-off positions.

Finally, the World Rugby U20 Championship continues on Wednesday and the action is live with World Rugby, who show the matches on their YouTube page.