Warren Gatland has revealed he has held "informal conversations" over coaching the British and Irish Lions again in 2021.

The New Zealander has led the Lions on their last two tours, a 2-1 series win over Australia in 2013 and a 1-1 draw in New Zealand in 2017, and intends to leave his role as Wales boss after this year's World Cup in Japan.

Asked at a Welsh Rugby Union event at St David's Hall in Cardiff about the possibility of leading the Lions again, Gatland was quoted as saying: "Maybe. I've had a couple of informal conversations and that's all it's been at the moment.

"What could work out brilliantly is to finish with Wales after the World Cup, have a little break and then potentially do the Lions for 12 months heading into 2021.

"Ireland are going to have a new coach, Wales are going to have a new coach, England will have a new coach, you've got Gregor Townsend in Scotland.

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Show all 15 1 /15 Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Cian Healy (Ireland) Rolled back the years to his very best form and the sight of him leaving the field against New Zealand completely exhausted demonstrated just how much he gave to Ireland’s caused. Has ended any doubts over who the best current loosehead in Ireland is once and for all. Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Ken Owens (Wales) The most consistent hooker throughout the autumn, both in performance and in selection. Strong showings against Australia and South Africa that both resulted in victories saw him clinch the shirt with relative ease. Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Kyle Sinckler (England) Looks to be on the way to fulfilling his potential after a standout autumn, with the man-of-the-match performance against Australia being one of the best showings from an English tighthead we’ve ever seen. Could well become a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. AFP/Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Maro Itoje (England) The consistent figure in England’s second row that was hit by injury after injury. Overcame a difficult start against the Springboks to star in the near-miss against New Zealand and the comeback victory over Japan. Is growing into a real leader of the pack as he took control of the lineout against Australia with huge success. AFP/Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Brodie Retallick (New Zealand) The best player in the world right now and it was his domination of the English lineout that helped secure the comeback victory at Twickenham. Unlucky to be on the losing side against Ireland but overall it was a strong series from the towering lock. REUTERS Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Peter O’Mahony (Ireland) Phenomenal performance against the All Blacks saw him hobble off the pitch to a standing ovation. A crucial figure in the lineout against Argentina too and he is developing into a new talisman for the Irish. AP Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Ellis Jenkins (Wales) Two brilliant showings against Tonga and South Africa on either side of the back-row. His performance against the Springboks was phenomenal, with a line-break to set up Tomas Francis for a try and a try-saving tackle on Jesse Kriel, and we can only hope he makes a full recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered at the end of the match. AFP/Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Mark Wilson (England) Came into the autumn as an unknown quantity and leaves having put himself firmly in the frame for England’s World Cup squad. Man of the match against South Africa in only his second start and provided some much-needed ball carrying against Australia that apparently England were lacking. EPA Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Greig Laidlaw (Scotland) May be off the radar playing in France but he is back to his best as Scotland’s first-choice No 9. Has looked lively all autumn and as reliable as ever kicking for goal to lift that responsibility off half-back partner Finn Russell. PA Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Owen Farrell (England) Say what you want about his controversial tackling technique that for some reason is going unpunished, but he offers so many match-defining moments that he has to feature in the side. Unsurpring mention for Johnny Sexton too, but his lack of game time compared to Farrell’s three-and-a-half outings sees Farrell take the shirt. Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Jacob Stockdale (Ireland) Part of a well-drilled team move to secure victory against New Zealand but his individual contribution cannot be ignored as he executed a perfect chip-and-chase to win the match for the Irish and inject them with a huge show of momentum ahead of the World Cup. REUTERS Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Bundee Aki (Ireland) The standout performer in an autumn that was difficult for a lot of inside centres. Ben Te’o and Hadleigh Parkes were also in the running and Damien De Allende was perhaps the most consistent, but Aki takes the spot with strong performances against the All Blacks and Italy. PA Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Garry Ringrose (Ireland) He is developing into a wonder player at international level, and is able to form strong partnerships with whoever is inside him as we saw when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out at late notice to see Aki come in inside him. Somewhat strangely the only player retained in the side to face the USA, but delivered with a virtuoso performance in playing a key role in Andrew Conway’s hat-trick. AP Rugby internationals – team of the autumn George North (Wales) Looked like the wing of old at the start of the autumn and looks to be reaping the rewards of his move back to Wales and the National Dual Contract that came with it. Fully fit and firing at his best, it has been a joy to watch North get back into his stride this autumn. Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Israel Folau (Australia) The superstar playing in one of the most average Australia teams we’ve ever seen. The finish for his first try against England was the sign of a special player that few others could replicate, while he was also mighty under the high ball throughout the autumn. Getty Images

"It means that one of those countries could lose their coach for 12 months.

"So it (Gatland leading the Lions) may appeal to the four home nations, but there's a lot of things that have to happen before then.

"There's potential there."

A Lions spokesperson said: "The selection/recruitment process for 2021 has not been agreed yet. There will undoubtedly be a number of candidates, but this is not a process that has started as yet."