Warren Gatland Responds To Rumours That He’s Set To Leave Wales

Warren Gatland has rubbished rumours that he is set to leave his Wales post following the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour.

The New Zealand born head coach was the subject of a number of reports over the weekend that suggested he will walk away from the Wales job following the tour, but has now come out and revealed that there is no truth in the rumours.

Gatland contacted WalesOnline to set the record straight after being hurt by a claim that suggested he was set to walks away from Wales, two years before his current contract is set to end with the union.

The Lions boss is contracted to Wales until the end of the 2019 World Cup in Japan and vowed to see out his deal. He also revealed that Super Rugby franchise, the Chiefs contacted him about their vacant role, but he declined in order to see out his deal with the Welsh Rugby Union.

The Chiefs spoke to me about three months ago but I told them it was a non-starter until my contract runs out with Wales.”

“I told the Chiefs I would be interested after 2019 but there’s no way I would leave Wales or the Lions now,” said Gatland.

Why would I leave Wales to go to no job and no salary when I’m contracted to the WRU until 2019?”

“This is a terrible story that someone has done to try to cause trouble,” he speculated.

“I don’t even know the reporter who wrote it. How could he even know my close friends?

“All my focus is on is the Lions and Wales. I repeat, I’m not going anywhere until after the 2019 World Cup. End of story!”

There you have it. Gatland is going nowhere next year, but he will indeed leave his role with Wales following the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.