Warren Gatland

Born: 17 September, 1963, Hamilton, NZ

Playing Career:

New Zealand: 17 matches

Position: Hooker

8 points, 2 tries

Province: Waikato (record 140 appearances)

Coaching Career: Leinster, Connacht, Ireland, Wasps, Waikato, Chiefs, Wales, Lions

Like many great rugby coaches Warren Gatland is a former schoolteacher. A nuggety hooker who made the most of his abilities, he then went about doing the same for a succession of teams. After early success with Connacht, Gatland was appointed coach of Ireland and clashed heads with Graham Henry, then with Wales, in one of his early matches. But the New Zealander really built his reputation coaching Wasps to consecutive Premiership titles from 2003-2005 and to the Heineken Cup in 2004. Wasps played an all-round game but frequently caught teams out with their blitz defence.

After his spell at Wasps, Gatland returned to his native New Zealand, where he led Waikato to a national provincial championship. In December 2007 Gatland became head coach of Wales, winning the Grand Slam in his first season and leading Wales to a first victory at Twickenham in 20 years. Gatland guided Wales to the World Cup semi-final in 2011, before winning a second Grand Slam in 2012, a prelude to his appointment as Lions coach in September that year.

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