Get the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Warren Gatland should be the man to lead the Lions in New Zealand in 2017 – with fellow Kiwi Joe Schmidt in his coaching team.

That’s the verdict of Scottish legend Gavin Hastings, the man who kicked the Lions to a series win in Australia in 1989 and captained the side that lost 2-1 in New Zealand four years later.

Hastings reckons the Wales boss deserves a crack at defeating the All Blacks after the way he steered the Lions to a first series win in 16 years against the Wallabies in 2013.

And the innovative Schmidt, who guided Ireland to the Six Nations title last season, should also be involved, Hastings says.

Wales' World Cup rivals Australia suffer triple injury blow after bruising South Africa encounter

Andy Powell's confident World Cup prediction: Wales will beat England... and can then go all the way!

“I’m a huge fan of Warren gatland and I think he ‘gets’ the Lions,” he told the Rugby Paper.

“He understands what it takes and if you had him and Joe Schmidt together, you’d have the best possible chance of winning the toughest tour of them all.

“If you’ve got a couple of Kiwis in charge who’ve been over in this part of the world for a number of years, I think that gives you a great chance.

“Graham Henry didn’t know enough about the Lions when he coached them in 2001, whereas I think Gatland would like nothing more than to take the Lions to New Zealand and give it his all against his countrymen.”

Cardiff Blues poised for fresh bid to lure back Leigh Halfpenny from European champions Toulon

Gatland’s bold selection approach – he dropped Brian O’Driscoll for the third Test against Australia and was vindicated with victory – proves he has the right hard-nosed approach, Hasting argued.

“Gatland’s a hard man who does not give a damn about doing what people believe is democratically right given the whole Brian O’Driscoll scenario,” he said.

“Gatland knew his players and he was able to stick to his guns and eke out a convincing victory which ultimately, is what it’s all about.

(Image: Action Images / Andrew Couldridge)

Mike Phillips signs new contract - with London modelling agency

“Lions tour are about winning two Test matches and, to my thinking, the end always justify the means.

“I couldn’t care less if you have 35 Englishmen in the squad because they’re playing for the Lions and Gatland has no questions to answer on that.

“The record book shows he won, which is why it would be a good idea to pair him with Schmidt.”