Gatland tipped to keep role as British and Irish Lions coach

LONDON (AP) A leading British and Irish Lions official says Wales coach Warren Gatland is the top contender to take charge for the tour of his native New Zealand next year.

Gatland coached the Lions to a series win in Australia in 2013, and Lions chief executive John Feehan says that ''Gatland has a record that is pretty much second to none in the northern hemisphere.''

Feehan said on Tuesday ''it would be absolutely ludicrous of me to say that Warren would not be the leading contender - he clearly is.''

Wales has won three Six Nations titles and reached a World Cup semifinal since Gatland was hired in 2007.

The Lions will appoint its next coach after the summer tours by the four home unions. Lions tour manager John Spencer said the chosen coach will be expected to take a sabbatical from his national team job.