Gatland says he won't be leaving Waikato for Wales

Waikato coach Warren Gatland has laughed off reports in the UK that he is being lined up to take over as coach of Wales.

The Welsh Rugby Union are currently searching for a management team to guide the national side through to next year's World Cup after dumping Grand Slam-winning coach Mike Ruddock and then learning last week that his replacement, Scott Johnson, will probably return to Australia at the end of this Six Nations.

According to reports in The Guardian, Gatland is the Welsh Rugby Union's prime target. Gatland, a former All Black and Waikato hooker, enjoyed successful tenures with Ireland and London Wasps between 1999 and 2005 before returning to New Zealand last year.

The Guardian reports that the Welsh want to lure Gatland, who last year signed a three-year contract to be head coach at Waikato and technical adviser to the Chiefs, and team him up with his former Wasps assistant Sean Edwards.

"I haven't heard anything," said Gatland when asked if he had been approached by Wales. "I am not sure where they got their information. But I know from my time in England that when jobs at Premiership clubs came up, the same names were linked all the time. I guess that at top level there just aren't many people with the necessary experience so you get speculation."

Asked if he is approached whether coaching Wales would be of interest, Gatland said: "Not at the moment. I am very happy in my roles with Waikato and the Chiefs. I am enjoying being back in New Zealand and having a different perspective.

"I am learning how rugby is played down here and I am enjoying that."

-HERALD ON SUNDAY