Shaun Edwards' Toulon move stopped by WRU

Former rugby league star and the current Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards' move to take an informal role with the French club Toulon has been denied by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

The 49-year-old joined Wales as an assistant coach in 2008 and had signed a four-year contract extension with the WRU last December which keeps him contracted until the 2019 World Cup.

According to reports, Edwards was given permission by the WRU and the Wales coach Warren Gatland to work with the three-time European club champions Toulon one day a week. However, the Wales board released a statement last month that Edwards will not be part of the Top 14 club.

“Shaun will not be working with Toulon,” said a WRU statement.

“He is a contracted employee of the WRU. Whilst we encourage coaching staff gaining experience in other environments, the scope of the opportunity has changed and would represent an unacceptable compromise. Shaun remains committed to Wales up to RWC [Rugby World Cup] 2019.”

Edwards has been working under Gatland since 2008 and the pair had led Wales to three Six Nations triumphs, a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final finish.

After a disappointing tour of New Zealand, Wales have a busy autumn internationals lined up with Australia, South Africa and Argentina set to tour the country.