Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, has received an offer to lead the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia next year.
It is understood Gatland was interviewed for the role of head coach, along with Ireland's Declan Kidney and Scotland's Andy Robinson, in London last week.
The New Zealander is the outstanding candidate for the role after guiding Wales to a second RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam in his four-year tenure and has previous Lions experience having been part of the backroom staff for the 2009 tour to South Africa.
The Lions plan to unveil their choice at the end of April or the start of May, and it is understood initial talks have been held between Gatland, the Lions and the Welsh Rugby Union regarding the terms of his release from Wales duty for the tour.
Gatland is due to head to Australia when Wales tour there in June, which could prove valuable in terms of preparation for taking the cream of British and Irish rugby back there next year, and the WRU are understood to be keen for him to also be in charge come November, before stepping aside for the 2013 RBS 6 Nations.
WRU chief executive Roger Lewissaid: "We have had informal discussions with the British and Irish Lions over the last few months and we have been talking to Warren about this for the best part of a year.
"Warren does not have a clause in his contract which contains provision for him to coach the Lions, but we are hugely supportive of him and them."
Should he land the Lions job, Gatland may choose to include Wales assistants Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley, and the England forwards coach Graham Rowntree, who all went to South Africa in 2009, in his coaching team.
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