Warren Gatland has denied reports he will quit his Wales job and return to New Zealand after the Lions tour.

Gatland has been briefly quoted in New Zealand media claiming he knew nothing of a Daily Mail story which said he would leave his Wales post next summer – two years before his current contract expires – in order to spend more time with his family.

The report said Gatland had alerted close friends of his plan to remain in New Zealand after the tour, having spent almost nine years living 12,000 miles from home and seeing his family only four times a year.

The 53-year-old also questioned the accuracy of the report, adding, “Is that the same people who’s saying that James Haskell is dead?”

The Daily Mail also suggested the Welsh Rugby Union had been made aware of Gatland’s intention to stand down and wanted Wasps coach Dai Young to take over.

Gatland has often spoken of missing his family, but the WRU give him guaranteed leave periods to return to New Zealand during the year and also pay the costs of his flights.

He signed an extension to his existing deal in 2013 to take him through to the 2019 World Cup in Japan, but there were discussions within the WRU after the 2015 tournament as to whether or not he should continue.

If Gatland did decide to cut short his time with Wales following the Lions tour, he would be following the same path taken by fellow Kiwi Graham Henry in 2002.

Henry took charge of the Lions tour to Australia in 2001, but quit Wales to return to New Zealand within six months.