Warren Gatland has agreed to become head coach of the British and Irish Lions for the tour to South Africa in 2021, according to the Press Association Sport.
The Lions have moved swiftly to secure Gatland for a record third successive term, in the process ending the prospect of the Kiwi 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.
He stands unbeaten over his two Lions tours with a win over Australia in 2013 followed by the contentious 2017 drawn series in New Zealand.
Gatland was also part of Ian McGeechan’s coaching ticket when the Lions last faced the Springboks, a 2-1 series defeat in 2009.