The Welsh Rugby Union has moved swiftly to play down talk of head coach Warren Gatland taking the job of head coach of the 2009 Lions tour.

The New Zealander revealed earlier this week that he would be interested in becoming the second Kiwi to do the job following Graham Henry in 2001, who led the Lions to a 2-1 series defeat in Australia.

Gatland’s popularity as a candidate has grown since steering Wales to a winning start against England and Scotland in the Six Nations.

But WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis yesterday said: “I discussed it at length with Warren. We both agreed that the interests of Welsh rugby are paramount and if the Lions deflected from that in any way the option would not be on the table.

“Warren could have some Lions role, but we’d probably prefer it’s not head coach.

“If they (the Lions) came knocking for Warren it would be our prerogative and right to block them.”