Wales head coach Warren Gatland has ‘categorically’ ruled out coaching England.
The Kiwi will leave his post with Wales after this year’s Rugby World Cup, following 11 successful years in charge.
In the past, Gatland has spoken of how he has been made to feel welcome in Wales and has been accepted by the rugby-mad public.
He has lead Wales to three Grand Slams and the knockout stages of both the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups.
Gatland has quipped that he wouldn’t be allowed back over the bridge if he took the England job and that the RFU couldn’t afford him.
But links with the England job have persisted.
Gatland was named Lions head coach for the 2021 tour of South Africa in London today and he has been touted as a replacement for Eddie Jones, who’s contract runs out in two years.
The stars would seem to be lining up for Gatland to take the reins at Twickenhan but Welsh fans will be relieved to learn he has other ideas.
“I can categorically tell you now I will definitely not be coaching England,” Gatland told TalkSport.
Gatland also confirmed that this would be his final Lions gig, having already guided the tourists to victory in Australia and a drawn series in New Zealand.
It now looks as though he job back in his native New Zealand is on the cards, where taking charge of a Super Rugby franchise could lead him to the All Blacks job one day.
“I finish with Wales after the World Cup,” he said at a press conference in London.
“I’m talking to a couple of people at the moment but nothing is formal.
“Hopefully in the next few months, I’ll make a decision about what my future will be after the Lions.”
