Warren Gatland makes history as he agrees to coach Lions for South Africa tour
SunSport can reveal that bizarrely both teams might have shirts with the same team sponsor on
WARREN GATLAND has agreed to become the Lions boss for a historic third time.
The Wales chief will complete the set against South Africa in 2021 - having steered the tourists to a win in Australia in 2013 and a draw in his native New Zealand in 2017.
Kiwi Gatland will put pen to paper on the deal when he returns from New Zealand - although the Lions have so far refused to comment.
He becomes the first boss to take charge of all three tours of the southern hemisphere and was the only candidate the Lions went for after Ireland boss Joe Schmidt decided to quit coaching after the World Cup.
England boss Eddie Jones, who is contracted at Twickenham until 2021 but looks set to leave at the end of the year regardless, was not in contention for the top job.
And SunSport can also reveal that future Lions tours are also set for a new look with talks about striking a mega-money, new sponsorship deal that would see both the tourists and host nations using the same shirt sponsor.
In the past, the Lions have struck all their own deals.
But it is believed that new Lions MD Ben Calveley and Southern Hemisphere powerbrokers are looking to team up to bring in more cash and better promote the series.
Meanwhile, Champions League finalists Tottenham Hotspur will host 2021's Heineken Champions Cup final at the brand new White Hart Lane.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: “We are excited to have been selected to host this prestigious weekend, the pinnacle of European club rugby, in 2021 and to have this opportunity to welcome EPCR and rugby fans from around the world to Tottenham to experience our new home.
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"These games will add to the portfolio of world-class sporting and entertainment events our multi-use venue will stage in this new leisure destination for London.”
Former England centre and Euro rugby chairman Simon Halliday added: “We are very excited to be taking the best club rugby in the world to such an innovative and exciting stadium.
"There is already a real buzz about the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it will continue the theme of new experiences for our fans in dynamic stadiums that can generate the kind of exceptional atmosphere that has become the hallmark of the Heineken Champions Cup.”
