Warren Gatland tells Shaun Edwards to sort out his future as Wales boss is ‘sick of reading about it’

Edwards has reneged on a move to Wigan Warriors and has offers from both the Wales and France national teams, but is yet to decide what he will do after this year’s Rugby World Cup

Warren Gatland has hit out at Shaun Edwards and told the defence coach to decide where his future lies or risk becoming a distraction to Wales’ Rugby World Cup bid.

Edwards – Gatland’s assistant since 2008 – will see his contract with Wales expire following the conclusion of this year’s global showpiece in Japan.

The 52-year-old had agreed to join rugby league giants Wigan, but then reneged on the deal. He is currently weighing up a four-year offer from France and a contract with Wales.

The offer from Wales is an initial two years with the option to extend for another two years.

“It’s been going on for a few weeks. I’ve had one conversation with Shaun about what he was doing which was very brief,” said Gatland after announcing Wales’ 42-man World Cup training squad.

“He said he wasn’t quite sure and that was pretty much the extent of it. Ideally you’d like that decision to be made pretty quickly whether he’s staying in Wales, going to France, going to England, or whatever he’s doing. He’s here for the World Cup and focused on that, but it’s more of an issue for the Welsh Rugby Union, Wayne Pivac, and Shaun to deal with.

“If it does go on any longer then I think it would be a distraction. I have to be honest and say I’m sick of reading about it in the newspapers every day. If it goes on much longer then I will be having some words with people to get it sorted out because there has been enough speculation.”

Edwards – widely renowned as one of the best defence coaches in world rugby – helped Wales to Grand Slam glory last month. It was his and Gatland’s third Six Nations clean sweep.

It is understood Gatland and the Wales hierarchy are privately furious at the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Edwards. In a statement released by Wigan revealing he would not be joining them, Edwards cited Wales changing their pre-World Cup training schedule as an excuse.

No such changes have been made.

Wales’ offer for Edwards to work alongside Byron Hayward under Gatland’s incoming successor Pivac remains on the table.

Warren Gatland wants Shaun Edwards to resolve his future before the Rugby World Cup (PA)

“The Union have made an offer and they’ve made it in good faith. I think Shaun has to make his mind up,” Gatland added. “We all thought Shaun had agreed terms with Wigan and that somehow changed. It’s a waiting game at the moment and we will see what decision Shaun makes, but it’s not something I would put up with.”

Gatland’s World Cup training squad cuts a settled look following the Grand Slam. There are two uncapped players in Cardiff Blues wing Owen Lane and Saracens-bound prop Rhys Carre.

Wasps flanker Thomas Young and fellow back-row ace Ellis Jenkins are absent due to long-term injuries, but Aaron Shingler and Bath No 8 Taulupe Faletau are included.

Carre, 21, will join English giants Saracens from the Blues for next season and is also eligible for England. Gatland denied his selection was to keep him out of the clutches of Eddie Jones.

“It was nothing to do with that. We spoke about the perception of how Rhys got the selection, but I would not let that influence me in terms of feeling he was the right person for the job,” he said.

Shaun Edwards will not join Wigan Warriors after making a U-turn on their agreement (Getty)

“We see Rhys as a player of the future. The coaches are surprised he has left Wales and gone to Saracens. He sees it as a chance to go and get experience at one of the best clubs in Europe.

“I can understand that, but he also needs to play and that is the risk he takes going there. I cannot see him overtaking Mako Vunipola.”