Leeds Carnegie coach Diccon Edwards moves to RFU role

Edwards joined Leeds in 1996 from rugby league neighbours Castleford

Academy manager Diccon Edwards has left Premiership side Leeds Carnegie to join the Rugby Football Union as a national academy coach.

The 37-year-old, who has coached at Leeds for the past four seasons, will now assist England Under-20s, working with the RFU's elite rugby department.

"The decision to leave Leeds is not one I've taken lightly," he said.

"However the opportunity to join the RFU is one that I feel has come at the right time in my career."

Edwards added: "I am immensely proud of what we've achieved with the academy here at Leeds, winning the Yorkshire Cup twice with an Under-19 side and seeing a number of players progress to the first team as demonstrated with our win over Leicester this season in the LV=Cup when 14 Academy graduates were involved.

It is a compliment to our development system that both our former academy managers have been brought on board at the RFU and shows the quality set-up we have here

Leeds director of coaching Andy Key

"I was fortunate to work under Stuart Lancaster at Leeds prior to him leaving to join the RFU and he taught me a great deal. And I am looking forward to working with him again.

"I know that the Academy at Leeds is in safe hands and I am sure that I will continue to monitor the progress of many of the great young players at Leeds through my new role."

Edwards joined Leeds as a player in 1996 from rugby league neighbours Castleford, making 76 appearances over a four-season period before finishing his career at Wakefield.

He also played rugby union for Leicester Tigers and Newport and was an RFU Rugby Development Officer in South Yorkshire.

Leeds director of rugby Andy Key added: "It is a compliment to our development system that both our former academy managers have now been brought on board at the RFU and shows the quality set-up we have here."