Shaun Edwards' part-time Dragons role could rule out England

The Dragons are set to secure the signature of Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards, beating off both England and Rugby League’s Wigan.

Edwards had been strongly linked to the vacant England defence role which was vacated by Paul Gustard who has taken up the headcoach job at Premiership side Harlequins.

The former Rugby League legend had also been linked with a move back to his former sport – which he left 17 years ago – with Wigan. Both Wales Online and the BBC are now reporting that he is set to join Bernard Jackman’s Dragons.

Separately a source close to the Dragons’ set-up confirmed to RugbyPass that Edwards is set to take up a part-time role with the Newport based side, which would see him present at the club once a week.

The move would be seen as the ‘icing on the cake’ of the Dragons rebuild.

RugbyPass understands that the 51-year-old would work alongside current defence coach Hendre Marnitz, who joined from the Bull Blues in 2017.

Edwards would work a similar manner to his consultancy work with the Cardiff Blues last season, and the move could rule out a role with England despite only being part-time. The Dragons are now WRU owned, and it could potentially create a conflict of interest for the Wigan born halfback.

Edwards, the most decorated player in rugby league history, has enjoyed an illustrious career both on and off the pitch.

After moving into coaching with Wasps he won the English Premiership on four occasions and every major trophy as a head coach.

Four of his six years at Wasps were alongside Warren Gatland and the duo linked up again with Wales in 2008. Edwards has since been integral to three RBS Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams.

Dragons have serious ambitions to become a high performing region in Welsh rugby, on and off the pitch. Both Ross Moriarty and Richard Hibbard made their first appearances at Rodney Parade this week and will join a side that has seen major recruitment over the course of the season.