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Warren Gatland has categorically dismissed reports claiming he would be open to an approach from England.

The Wales coach put an end to speculation about his future, suggesting he would rebuff any approach from the RFU and telling WalesOnline "I'm not interested in the England job.”

Gatland intends to honour his contract with the WRU, which expires at the end of the 2019 World Cup in Japan, and is excited about the future.

His statement comes amid mounting speculation English rugby chiefs are prepared to offer the WRU a massive six-figure sum to snare the Kiwi.

The New Zealander has guided Wales to three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, since beginning his tenure seven years ago.

He has also guided Wales to a World Cup semi-final in 2011 and reached the quarter-finals of this year's tournament, helping to dump England out at the group stages and bring an end to Stuart Lancaster's reign.

(Image: Getty Images)

They have won both Six Nations following the World Cup and will be front-runners to repeat the feat this season.

And that would almost certainly land him the Lions job for the 2017 tour of New Zealand after guiding the best of British and Irish rugby to a 2-1 triumph in Australia two years ago.

Related:WRU insist Warren Gatland is going nowhere despite claims coach is open to England offer

Gatland has a clause in his contract with the WRU which enables him to take a sabbatical to lead the Lions, and he knows conquering New Zealand would improve his prospects of one day landing his dream job of coaching the All Blacks.

He intends to head home to New Zealand following the 2019 World Cup and seek out a coaching position in Super Rugby.

But it’s Wales who are at the forefront of his immediate thoughts as he works on plans for the Six Nations and next June’s three-Test tour of New Zealand.

Related:Warren Gatland could be an option to assume Josh Lewsey's head of rugby powers at the WRU

Gatland has pointed out a number of times most of the Wales squad which has been hugely competitive at two World Cups will still be available in four years time.

He is also excited about the talented youngsters, like Hallam Amos, Tyler and Matthew Morgan, Nicky Smith and Rob Evans, coming through the system and the introduction of National Dual Contracts in a partnership between the WRU and the Welsh regions.

Related:Former England chief urges RFU to go after Warren Gatland, saying 'Money speaks and there's a crock of gold at end of rugby rainbow'

Gatland was heavily involved in the huge fillip for Welsh rugby that saw Lions and Wales centre star Jonathan Davies yesterday confirm his return to the Scarlets from French Championship leaders Clermont Auvergne on a NDC.

And he has forged a solid working relationship with the new regime at the top of the union, headed by chief executive Martyn Phillips and chairman Gareth Davies.

Phillips and Gatland combined to put the block on the Dragons selling Taulupe Faletau to Bath and are working behind the scenes to persuade out of contract defence guru Shaun Edwards to stay onboard.

Full-back superstar Leigh Halfpenny is also on their radar. He is expected to leave European club champions Toulon at the end of the campaign with Cardiff Blues wanting to persuade him to return to the Arms Park.

Related:Warren Gatland's Wales No2 Shaun Edwards breaks silence on his future and admits he is 'open to offers'

Scarlets are also in the race for the goal-kicking machine and want to bring powerhouse wing George North home from Northampton Saints when his contract with the Aviva Premiership club runs out at the end of the season.

Davies, who missed the World Cup because of a serious knee injury, became the 17th Welsh player to sign up on a dual deal and will return to the Scarlets from Clermont next summer.

See also:The revealing Jamie Roberts interview: My life at Cambridge and why I had to walk away from rugby for a while

Speaking about Gatland's future, Gareth Davies said: “We have not had an approach from the RFU to speak to Warren. As he is under contract to us for the next four years, anyone wishing to speak to him would be obliged to seek permission from us first. That has not happened.”

And the former Wales captain added: “England may have ambitions of winning the World Cup in four years but so do we.

“Warren is happy in Wales and as far as I am concerned he isn’t going anywhere – he is staying with us until 2019.”

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