Will he leave Wales?

Warren Gatland has emerged as a shock target for Premiership side Northampton Saints, as they search for a successor to the recently departed Jim Mallinder.

Saints have already been turned down by former All Blacks assistant Wayne Smith, but have since drawn up a list of big name candidates, with Gatland topping it.

The Wales head coach is signed on with the WRU until after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and has previously stated he will leave his position after the tournament in favour of a move back to New Zealand.

Northampton benefactor Keith Barwell however, is hoping he can convince Gatland to move to the Premiership with a big money offer.

“We will start at the top, with people like Warren Gatland,” Barwell told the Rugby Paper.

“We are looking for someone who can deal with the way rugby has changed dramatically over the last few years.”

Gatland is currently on a salary of £450,000+ with the WRU, so it would have to be a huge offer to convince him to make the move, as he would also lose out on a loyalty bonus.

Scarlet’s Wayne Pivac is also said to be on Northampton’s radar, as is Leinster’s Stuart Lancaster and Newcastle’s Dean Richards.