The partnership of Warren Gatland and Edwards has transformed Wales

Welsh Rugby Union boss Roger Lewis says he is confident Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards will sign a contract with the Grand Slam winners "quickly".

The Welsh defensive guru's work has been hailed as an integral part of Wales' second Grand Slam in four years.

He has been linked with a position in the England set-up with the future of head coach Brian Ashton in doubt.

And Lewis also told the BBC's Scrum V on the Radio he would not stand in Edwards' way if England came calling.

Scrum V on the Radio: live & on demand

He said: "Shaun has been very honest from the start that his ambition would be one day to coach England and we respect that.

"We would never get in the way of the relationships we develop with people if that is their burning ambition.

We want to get this resolved as quickly as possible WRU chief executive Roger Lewis

"But it makes perfect sense for Shaun, at this particular time, to continue working with us.

"I think we are pretty close, but it's not over until the fat lady sings.

"But I am confident because of the relationship that has been developed between Wales and Shaun."

Wasps coach Edwards was overlooked by the England set-up in January and instead took up a part-time post with Wales.

The WRU's official position is that they have a verbal agreement with Edwards which will keep him with the union on a part-time basis until 2010 while he fulfils his duties with Wasps.

Edwards told Radio Wales that his contract situation hasn't changed and that he's hoping a deal with Wales can be sorted out soon.

Lewis is confident Wales will keep their man

And Lewis said: "We met before the French game and talked about the future and it was Shaun who said 'I want to stay with Wales beyond the agreement we had in place'.

"It's a complicated arrangement legally because we have an arrangement with Shaun and then Wasps with Wales, so it has taken some time to work out the detail.

"It's with the lawyers at the moment and I spoke with Shaun at length today and we want to get this resolved as quickly as possible. It is all on track."

Former England international Paul Ackford has backed Edwards to stay with Wales.

"All the players I speak to hold him in high regard and on that basis, I would love to have him in England colours," he said.

"But having said that I think he would be crazy to come across because what's happening for him now is working and he's obviously very successful down there.

606: DEBATE Can Wales hang on to assistant coach Shaun Edwards?

"There's a great sense in the RFU that he's the man they want, there's no doubt about that, but I'll be surprised if he does come.

"I've spoken to two or three senior figures in the RFU, but there's a little bit of arrogance in their stance that they think they can bung money at Shaun and that will lure him back.

"But I don't think that will be the case. He's got to feel it's right.

"I think he will stay with Wales, he gets on with Warren Gatland, he likes the relationship with the players which he is building, it works with the Wasps connection and there is no reason to move."