THE WELSH Rugby Union have made it clear they would not be happy for Warren Gatland to be named head coach if the call came from the Lions' committee. WRU chief executive Roger Lewis insists the job would impinge on Gatland's Wales role.

"Warren and I met after the Wales-France game and we both agreed the nature of the Lions head coach is such it would not be in the best interests of Welsh rugby for Warren to be considered for that. We know he would be an outstanding candidate for that job, but there is so much work to be done in Wales."

Lewis added the WRU would have no problem with Gatland being named in a supporting role to the Lions head coach.

Meanwhile, Gatland has confirmed he will be taking his strongest squad to face world champions South Africa in two Tests in the republic in June. Wales are determined to build on their Grand Slam triumph in the Six Nations by testing themselves in the Springboks' backyard.

It is a challenge made much harder with both internationals are due to be played at altitude in Bloemfontein and Pretoria.

"Our next challenge is South Africa and we will try to take as strong a side as possible, given we need to speak to one or two senior players about the condition of their body after a long season," confirmed Gatland.

The squad, which Gatland will confirm over the next few weeks, will contain most of his Grand Slam players and a few others who have emerged for the Welsh regions in recent months.