Lewis says the WRU could block a possible Lions move for Gatland

"When the story broke I discussed it at length with Warren," said Lewis.

"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.

"It's not really on the radar. Warren could have some Lions role, but we'd probably prefer it's not head coach."

606: DEBATE Roger Lewis is so negative in denying Warren Gatland a chance to lead the Lions Teddingtontaff

Kiwi Gatland's stock has risen dramatically since taking the Wales job in December, making an immediate impression on the Wales squad and delivering victories against England and Scotland in his first two games in charge.

"Warren's just starting with Wales and there are so many things we need to do," Lewis told BBC Sport Wales.

"We're just looking at our next game against Italy at the moment, but beyond the Six Nations there's this summer's tour to South Africa and the autumn internationals.

I'm sure Warren could do a fantastic job with the Lions Ex-Wales coach Mike Ruddock

"The Lions are our partners, they're part of the heritage and history of Welsh rugby, and with Gerald Davies as their manager we have great relations there.

"But if they came knocking for Warren it would be our prerogative and right to block them."

The WRU could be discouraged by the unhappy experience of another New Zealander who led the Lions, Graham Henry, who took charge of the 2001 tour to Australia.

Henry was then Wales coach and he took a large contingent of his players on the tour, but when a number of them failed to make the Test team it played a part in destroying his relationship with the Wales dressing room.

But another ex-Wales coach, 2005 Grand Slam winner Mike Ruddock, says that should not necessarily rule out Gatland.

"I'm sure Warren could do a fantastic job with the Lions," said Ruddock, who was fulsome in his praise of the Kiwi's work with Wales.

"Henry's experiences with the 2001 Lions obviously did affect his relationship with the Wales players.

"But I think people will learn from that experience. It's a professional game, players should be able to put grudges aside and come back from a Lions tour ready to fight for their Wales place."

We would prefer a British- or Irish-based coach, but we're keeping an open mind - we want the best person for the role Lions chief executive John Feehan

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan is one of the favourites to be Lions coach, while South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White has expressed an interest.

England head coach Brian Ashton has declared he will not be available for the Lions, while Eddie O'Sullivan's stock has fallen since Ireland's poor World Cup campaign.

Wales assistant and Wasps coach Shaun Edwards has been tipped to have some role in the Lions set-up.

"We have a process for naming the head coach where we review things after the Six Nations and hope to appoint in April or May," Lions chief executive John Feehan told BBC Radio Wales's Scrum V on the Radio programme.

"We need someone with a sense of the tradition that goes with the Lions.