Unbeaten Warren Gatland '100% confident' of British and Irish Lions success in 2021 South Africa tour

Warren Gatland says he is “100 per cent confident” he can lead the Lions to glory after being appointed head coach for the 2021 tour to South Africa.

The 55-year-old agreed last month to coach the Lions for a third time, but he was not officially unveiled until this morning.

Gatland is due to step down as Wales boss at the end of this year’s Rugby World Cup and he will begin working with the Lions on August 1, 2020.

He is unbeaten in tours to Australia and New Zealand as Lions head coach and is only the second person to lead them for a third time after Sir Ian McGeechan, who was in charge for the last series against South Africa in 2009.

Gatland was part of that touring party as an assistant coach and knows the challenge that awaits after suffering a 2-1 series defeat.

However, he explained today he would not have taken the job if he did not believe he could pull off a series win.

He said: “The Lions rightly have a truly special place in the game and I jumped at the chance to be involved again when I was approached. South Africa is a special place to play rugby. Having toured there in 2009, I know the scale of the task ahead of us — it presents a number of unique challenges such as playing at altitude, while the Boks will always be physical, aggressive and highly motivated.

“But I am 100 per cent confident that we can go there and win — I would not be here if I thought differently.

“I’m delighted to now have everything in place to begin full time in August 2020 as that gives me the best possible chance to plan, but for the time being my focus is on the Rugby World Cup and delivering for Wales.”