Warren Gatland explains British & Irish Lions coaching U-turn

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland admits he had "unfinished business" when it came to coaching the Lions again.

In 2017, the Lions boss vowed that was done following the drawn series with the All Blacks. However, the stalemate four years ago brought a feeling of hollow satisfaction 57-year-old.

Gatland thought at the time that his time with the touring side had reached its conclusion, particularly after the negative campaign from the local media in New Zealand. 

Now on another tour after his comments four years ago, Gatland explains that "It felt like there was unfinished business."

"You realise there's a massive amount of pressure and there's a lot of expectation," he explained.

"I felt that on occasions when people have not agreed with decisions I've made or when the New Zealand media had a crack at me like last time and tried to unsettle me. That was another challenge.

"But when you go away and think about it you realise what you have achieved is pretty special, drawing with the world champions.

"It is pretty hard to reject an offer to come back and coach the Lions and the opportunity you have to make some special memories."

There is also a sense of “unfinished business” for Gatland after his tenure as an assistant on the 2009 tour to South Africa under Sir Ian McGeechan in the 2-1 series defeat.

During the 2009 tour, McGeechan requested that Gatland present the squad with their jerseys, which the New Zealander declined. 

“I felt that it was not the right time,” Gatland said. “I felt that I had not earned my stripes. I politely declined his invitation even though it was a massive honour. I think the Lions is incredibly special and unique as an entity and I am passionate about protecting it and making sure it continues in the game.”