Wasps: It's up to Gatland now

London Wasps have formally offered Warren Gatland, the former Ireland coach, the chance to join the Zurich Premiership club's management team as forwards coach.

Nigel Melville, the Wasps director of rugby, flew to Dublin yesterday to open talks with Gatland, who was sacked by Ireland in the wake of the home defeat by the All Blacks last month.

Melville said today: "I had a good meeting with Warren and now he is going to be returning home to New Zealand to discuss a number of opportunities that have been put to him.

"I expect to hear his decision shortly and we are hopeful that he will be able to join us."

Wasps are bottom of the Premiership, four points behind Leeds and Bath, and play at Newcastle on Sunday in the Powergen Cup.