Edwards signs new deal with Wales

NEWS: SHAUN EDWARDS has pledged his international coaching future to Wales by signing a three-year contract.

Edwards was in high demand after playing a central role in Wales' Grand Slam campaign and it is understood he met prospective England team manager Martin Johnson.

But Edwards, the Wasps head coach, confirmed he will be part of Warren Gatland's Wales management team through to the 2011 World Cup.

Edwards will also continue in his capacity as Wasps head coach for the next three years.

The three-way deal between Edwards, the Welsh Rugby Union and Wasps was signed at the club's training ground in Acton last night.

Edwards' immediate focus is Wasps' English Premiership title challenge but in the summer he will travel with Wales for two Tests against South Africa.

"I am delighted that this deal secures my future with Wales until 2011," he said. "We have won the Grand Slam, but now it is time to focus on preparing to face the world champions and what a great challenge that is for us.

"I am extremely grateful to the management of both Wasps and the Welsh Rugby Union for giving me this opportunity to work with these two marvellous teams. I can now focus all my energy on achieving a lot more success with both teams on the field where it matters most.

"My loyalty to Wasps is undiminished and I have already formed an extremely close bond with the Welsh team and the Welsh fans.

"There has been a lot of speculation about my future, but I feel very excited about working with my co-coaches and backroom staff within the Welsh set-up."

Edwards and Gatland, former colleagues at Wasps and close friends, formed a formidable coaching team during the Six Nations as they transformed Wales from World Cup deadbeats into Grand Slam champions.

Interest from England was understandable as the Rugby Football Union attempt to fill the newly-created team manager's role - which Johnson has been linked with - and appoint another specialist coach.

But the Welsh Rugby Union were always confident Edwards would remain loyal to Gatland, who offered him a route into international rugby.

WRU chief executive Roger Lewis said: "Shaun Edwards, in a remarkably short space of time, has gained a unique place within Welsh rugby. Shaun thoroughly deserves his fast growing worldwide rugby reputation as an outstanding coach."

Edwards is also keen to be involved on the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa and initially persuaded Wasps to allow him to link up with Wales on the basis that it would improve him credentials as a coach.