Gatland to take reins of Lions again for NZ tour

Warren Gatland has been retained as coach of the British and Irish Lions for their 2017 tour of New Zealand, British media reported on Sunday. The 52-year-old Wales coach would be confirmed for his second successive tour on Wednesday in Edinburgh, The Times newspaper said. Gatland, who was born in New Zealand, guided the Lions to a series win over Australia in 2013. The Lions play 10 matches on the highly anticipated tour, which includes three tests against the All Blacks, a game against the Maori All Blacks and matches against each of New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises. The Lions open the tour against a combined provincial selection, likely to be made up of semi-professional and amateur players, on June 3. They last toured New Zealand in 2005 under England's World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward and were beaten in all three tests by the All Blacks. -Reuters