O'Driscoll backs Gatland for Lions job in New Zealand

09:27 - 08 April 2016

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Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll has backed Wales head coach Warren Gatland to take charge of the Britsh and Irish Lions in New Zealand.

Brian O'Driscoll believes Warren Gatland would be the right choice to lead the Britsh and Irish Lions on the tour of New Zealand next year.

Wales head coach Gatland masterminded the Lions' series triumph in Australia three years ago, having taken the role of assistant coach in South Africa back in 2009.

Ireland icon O'Driscoll was controversially dropped by Gatland during the tour of Australia, with Wales duo Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies getting the nod.

But the former centre said it would make sense for Gatland to be appointed for the series in his homeland, where the Lions will aim to get the better of the reigning world champions.

"You have to think it's between Gats [Gatland] and Joe Schmidt," O'Driscoll told The Telegraph.

"I think having been under Gats in 2013 – and he was a coach in 2009 as well – his style is probably something that lends itself to the short lead-in time."