EDWARDS GOES BACK TO WIGAN

SHAUN EDWARDS is quitting rugby union to return to his beloved Wigan Warriors as head coach.

But the 51-year-old dual code legend will not link up with his old club until 2020. Instead, former Wigan favourite Adrian Lam will hold the reins for next season.

Edwards told Wigan he was keen to return but wanted to honour his contract with Wales Rugby Union. The Warriors have agreed that he can continue working for Wales as defence coach until after next year’s World Cup.

Papua New Guinea star

Lam, who played for Wigan between 2001 and 2004, has agreed to take over in the interim.

Lam, who replaces Shaun Wane who is joining Scotland Rugby Union, will not be part of Edwards’ coaching plans. Edwards played almost 500 games for Wigan between 1983 and 1997, in their golden era as rugby league’s dominant club.

Danny Ward (left), coach of Championship outfit London Broncos, is tipping Widnes to get the shock of their lives in tonight’s relegation opener at the Select Security Stadium (7.45pm). The Vikings go into the Middle Eights scrap with confidence at rock bottom after 16 successive League defeats.

And Ward said: “People are not expecting us to do much in the Middle Eights so we can go out and play and have fun.

“There is no pressure at all. Promotion and playing in Super League is what we want and it wouldn’t be too early, if we did it.”