New British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has described his appointment as 'the pinnacle of his career'.

The Wales coach has been handed the responsibility of leading the Lions on their 2013 tour of Australia and the Wales coach was quick to acknowledge what the role meant to him.

Gatland said: "It goes without saying that it is a huge honour to be appointed as the Lions coach, but more importantly, it is a massive responsibility.

"It is a responsibilty to the coaches and players that have gone before me and 125 years of Lions history.

"It is the highest honour to be selected as the Lions coach and it is the pinnacle of anyone's coaching career."

Gatland will immediately begin his Lions commitment and will not coach Wales during the 2013 Six Nations tournament.