Johnny Sexton has given his backing to Warren Gatland’s attempt to make Lions history by completing an unbeaten sweep of the southern hemisphere.
The Wales boss has already won a series Down Under against Australia and held New Zealand to a draw in the world champions’ own backyard.
Now he has agreed to take the 2021 Lions to South Africa, the final frontier for his personal ambitions.
"It is not surprising that he has got the role again,” said Sexton, who played under Gatland on the last two tours. "He is unbeaten. His record speaks for itself.
"I am sure he will do a fantastic job. I am very happy for him.”
Why Warren Gatland can't resist British and Irish Lions return
Gatland’s reappointment looked a distant prospect in the wake of the 2017 New Zealand trip when he was criticised both by the Kiwi press and one of his senior players, Sean O’Brien.
The former Wasps boss responded to the Irishman blaming him and his coaches for failing to win the series by declaring that he had “hated” the tour and was "done" with the Lions.
Two years on he has had a change of heart and, although he is yet to sign a contract, has verbally agreed to go again, putting him one short of ‘Lion king’ Sir Ian McGeechan who led four tours.
Gatland will put the project on the back burner for the rest of the year as he prepares his Welsh Grand Slam winners for a tilt at the World Cup in Japan.
