Warren Gatland will next month officially be named as the British and Irish Lions' head coach for a second-successive tour, according to reports.
The 52-year-old, who has been in charge of Wales for close to a decade, is the clear favourite to land the gig when an announcement is made in Edinburgh on September 7.
Widespread reports in the British press suggest that Gatland, successful three years ago when guiding the Lions to a 2-1 series triumph over Australia, will now be tasked with plotting New Zealand's downfall.
The Lions have got the better of the Kiwis just once in the past, but Gatland is seen as the only real choice to guide the combined British side due to a dearth of other options, with England's Eddie Jones repeatedly ruling himself out of the running.
Wales suffered a series whitewash at the hands of world champions New Zealand earlier this year.
