Warren Gatland has agreed to become head coach of the British and Irish Lions for the tour to South Africa in 2021, according to British media reports.
The Press Association said that the Lions have moved swiftly to secure Gatland for a record third successive term, in the process ending the prospect of the New Zealander replacing Eddie Jones as England boss after the World Cup.
Although the contract has yet to be signed as Gatland is currently in New Zealand, a verbal agreement has been reached.
Gatland will step down as Wales coach after this year’s World Cup in Japan.
A start date has yet to be finalised, but it is likely that the most successful coach in Six Nations history will take up the role a year out from the tour.
It means Gatland will complete the set of Lions tour destinations following a series win against Australia in 2013 and 1-1 draw with New Zealand four years later.
Photo Caption:
Wales coach Warren Gatland (Photo: Photosport)
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Dixon earns front row spot
New Zealand driver Scott Dixon will start from the front row of the grid in Sunday’s Indy Car Grand Prix in Indianapolis.
The reigning series champion qualified second fastest, behind Chip Ganassi teammate Felix Rosenqvist, who recorded a fast lap of 1 minute, 8.2785 seconds around the 14-turn, 3.925 km permanent road course.
It was the Swedish rookie’s first pole position and the 90th in Indy car racing for Chip Ganassi Racing, and just 0.0194 seconds faster than Dixon’s best.
Rosenqvist said afterwards that it had been a “really smooth” day for both cars.
“We were in the top five basically every session. You still have to pull it off. It’s like if you’re one tenth off, you can fall six spots very easily. It is tough mentally to go through a session like that, where the lap you do might be P1 but the next time you come around you might be P5,” he said.
Dixon, who has earned points in all four races this season but has yet to win a race, sits third in the championship standings behind Americans Josef Newgarden and Alexander Rossi.
The New Zealander, who has won 28 pole positions, complimented Rosenqvist on his first.
“Both of our cars have been pretty quick, which is fun. Felix did a great job to put together a lap there. … Big congrats to him and Chip and the team. It’s good to lock up the front row,” he said.
Photo Caption:
Scott Dixon (Photo: Photosport)
