Gatland, who masterminded Wales’ RBS 6 Nations title triumph and tournament clean sweep last season, has landed the role of forwards coach.

He will work in a coaching team headed by Ian McGeechan, his successor as director of rugby with current Guinness Premiership champions Wasps.

McGeechan, whose Lions appointment was announced last month, will have also current Wasps coach Edwards and the club’s former star scrum-half Howley alongside him on the 10-match tour.

Edwards will look after the Lions’ defence, with Howley in charge of attack.

Further appointments to the management team announced in Dublin today were Wales’ Craig White, who will look after players’ physical conditioning, Scotland team doctor James Robson, performance analyst Rhys Long and media chief Greg Thomas.

The Lions head to South Africa next May for a tour in which the highlights will be the three Tests against the world champion Springboks in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg. Their first game is against a Highveld XV in Rustenburg on May 30.

Lions tour manager Gerald Davies said: “Today is an important milestone in our preparation.

“The personnel announced today have the proven skill sets to ensure that the Lions squad is well prepared for the tour to South Africa next year.

“The cosmopolitan make-up of the management team reflects the modern nature of rugby, and they, like me, are all well aware of the challenges that await us.”

Robin McBryde will stand in for Gatland as caretaker head coach on Wales’ summer tour to the United States and Canada.

McBryde will lead Wales’ two-Test tour after being recommended for the role by Gatland.

The former Wales and Lions hooker, will be assisted by Neil Jenkins and one other coach yet to be appointed.