 Edwards had a successful rugby league career with Great Britain |
Rob Andrew has defended the decision not to give Shaun Edwards a place in the England coaching set-up. Edwards has joined Warren Gatland with Wales, much to the consternation of former England scrum-half Matt Dawson.
But Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's elite director, said: "We've got three very good coaches who deserve credit for getting us to the World Cup final.
"Shaun has stated he'd like to coach England and I'm sure in the future that opportunity may well come along."
Edwards, who played league for Great Britain, Wigan, London Broncos and Bradford Bulls before switching codes, is highly regarded in union circles.
He worked with Gatland at Wasps and became head coach under Ian McGeechan in 2005 following his departure, helping the club win a number of domestic and European titles.
The 41-year-old was linked with a role with England following the World Cup but was eventually offered the position of England Saxons boss.
However, he turned down the job in order to link up with Gatland again, becoming Wales' defence and skills coach on a part-time basis.
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Dawson says he was disappointed by the RFU's not to sign up Edwards.
"In my view, and in a lot of other people's view, he is possibly the best rugby coach in the world," Dawson told the BBC.
"That's not something I say lightly and to see that we've let him go over the border is an absolute crime."
Edwards said he turned down the Saxons role because he wanted to be involved in full international rugby.
"The fact that Warren was here was beneficial but, if I want to go on the Lions tour (to South Africa in 2009), it would help me if I have an international CV behind me as well," he said. "I'm looking forward to it."
Edwards faces a difficult day when Wales play England at Twickenham on Saturday.
It would have been the birthday of his younger brother, Billy Joe, who died four years ago in a car crash.
"I'm concentrating on coaching Wales and trying to make a good fist of it," added Edwards.
"Half my mind will be at Twickenham but the other half will be with my mother in Wigan who I'd dearly love to be with on such a hard day for her.
"I'm a big fan of Bill Shankly - I love to read his books and he was a marvellous person - but I think he probably had a bit of an off-day when he said football was more important than life and death."
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