REVEALED: Warren Gatland's Lions Coaching Team 2021 For South Africa Tour

We all know how important these assistants can be on tour – think of Jim Telfer’s ‘Everest’ speech in 1997 – and the Telegraph has all but confirmed who will be on Gatland's coaching team this time around.

The appointments for the 2021 tour are expected to be announced at the start of next week. 

No England coaches will be part of the squad following their fifth place finish in the 2021 Six Nations.

Here is who will be part of the most experienced Lions coaching teams ever assembled:

Unable to accept an invitation for the tour of New Zealand in 2017, the Scotland boss is set to tour this time around. A Lions legend in his own right, he played at fly-half when the tourists beat South Africa back in 1997.

Gatland’s key lieutenant on the last two tours – his defence in the drawn New Zealand series was exemplary. There is still some uncertainty over Farrell’s involvement, but indications are that he will join one of the most experienced Lions coaching teams ever assembled.

Like Graham Rowntree, a two-time tourist. Jenkins has been in the back-room team for the past three tours and the kicking guru, who is still part of the Wales set-up under Wayne Pivac, will tour once again

Another of Gatland’s trusted sidekicks who is currently part of the Munster set-up. Rowntree toured twice as a player and has been the forwards coach for the past two trips. 

He was on the last tour and was key to how England performed at Japan 2019.  Despite being head coach at Leicester Tigers, reports suggest he will tour once again.