Warren Gatland

A native of Hamilton in New Zealand, Warren Gatland moved to Wales to become coach of the Welsh national rugby team, having previously coached in Ireland, England and New Zealand.

He made an immediate impact, winning the 2008 Six Nations Grand Slam in his first season in charge. He guided Wales to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup in his native New Zealand in 2011, his young side coming agonisingly close to reaching the final of the competition for the first time. He then led Wales to another Six Nations Grand Slam in 2012, before being appointed coach of the British and Irish Lions in advance of their tour to Australia in 2013, taking a sabbatical from his job with Wales.

He coached the Lions to a series win in Australia, their first series win since 1997. He has won a number of awards, including being previously named Welsh and UK coach of the year.

Prior to taking up coaching, he played 140 times for his native New Zealand province of Waikato in the position of hooker and despite playing for New Zealand on 17 occasions, he never played in a capped international.