The WRU are understood to want to keep Warren Gatland on board for this year's Autumn Test series.

Wales head coach Gatland has reportedly been offered the British and Irish Lions top job for their summer tour to Australia next year.

The Lions want Gatland on board from September, but that would mean the New Zealander missing Wales's Tests against the likes of the All Blacks and Australia as well as the whole of the 2013 Six Nations tournament.

"We want Warren to coach Wales for the Tests against Australia and New Zealand in the autumn," WRU chief executive Roger Lewis confirmed to the Western Mail.

Gatland is expected to be officially named as Lions coach in the coming weeks, with Wales assistant coach Rob Howley named as caretaker boss for the national side.