Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland is set to put pen to paper next week to lead the British and Irish Lions for a third successive tour, according to reports.
The head coach is set to make it official and sign a contract next week which will see him lead the Lions to South Africa in 2021, Telegraph Sport report - a move to be made official following Gatland's return from New Zealand.
After unveiling Wales' World Cup training squad last week, he made an emergency trip back home to be with his son Bryn, who needed surgery after suffering a serious, season-ending foot injury while playing for the Highlanders.
The Telegraph report that negotiations for the Lions position have come to a conclusion earlier than anticipated and parties have thus far reached a verbal agreement.
A source told the newspaper: "The Lions were clear about who they wanted and have gone and got their man."
The Welsh Rugby Union are said to be supportive, while an official announcement is expected before Gatland's 42-man World Cup training squad link up in June to begin preparations for the global showpiece tournament in Japan.
Gatland's previous Lions record has seen him win the 2013 series in Australia and come away from three Tests with the All Blacks four years later with honours even.
Sir Ian McGeechan is the only man in Lions history to take up the head coaching role on three consecutive tours: between 1989 and 1997, and now Gatland looks like he's going to follow suit.
The outgoing Wales coach's future has been a hot topic for months, especially since leading Wales to a Six Nations Grand Slam.
Recent months have seen him ruled out of making the move to the French national team after a referendum of the country's amateur rugby clubs ruled out a non-Frenchman taking charge, while the Kiwi has also been heavily linked with the England job.
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