Bates has worked with Rob Andrew at Newcastle

Edwards rejected an offer to coach England's second string and now looks likely to become Wales' defence coach.

Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union director of elite rugby, said: "We did offer Shaun the role but it became clear that wasn't where his heart lay."

Bates, Newcastle's technical director, will be assisted by Graham Rowntree.

The former Leicester and England prop, a coach with the RFU's National Academy, also worked with the senior England squad at the World Cup.

Former scrum-half Bates, capped once by England in 1989, returned to Newcastle last summer after previously working as a coach under Andrew when he was Falcons director of rugby.

In the interim Bates was head coach of the Scottish Borders before the team's demise last year, and also coached the Scotland 'A' team.

"It's great news for the club to have Steve appointed as Saxons coach, and so many of our players recognised by the England set-up," said Falcons director of rugby John Fletcher.

"I'm on record a number of times saying how highly I rate Steve both as a coach and as a person, and I know he'll do a fantastic job with the Saxons squad.