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 said: “Gatland has a record that is pretty much second to none in the northern hemisphere.”

“It would be absolutely ludicrous of me to say that Warren would not be the leading contender – he clearly is.”

Wales have won three Six Nations titles and reached a World Cup semi-final since Gatland’s appointment in 2007.