EDWARDS EXIT AS BIGGAR DEAL AS GAT GOING

SHAUN EDWARDS will be as big a loss to Welsh rugby as Warren Gatland after the World Cup.

And fly-half Dan Biggar claims the rugby league legend deserves just as much credit for the Grand Slam glory as boss Gat.

Edwards has yet to decide which challenge he will take on once Japan 2019 is over.

The Wales defence coach (below) has been having further talks with his old clubs Wigan and Wasps but he is also known to be waiting to see if England move in and offer him a coaching role, with Eddie Jones stepping down after the World Cup.

Biggar hopes he does a U-turn and stays on and said: “Wherever Shaun goes next will have one of the best coaches in world rugby. He’s done a phenomenal job with us, and we would love him to stay even longer.

“The whole squad has the utmost respect and admiration for the man.

“Warren Gatland has been brilliant but the whole coaching group deserve credit for how things have gone for us, especially Shaun, who has worked wonders with our defence.

“We attacked well during the Six Nations but it was our incredible defence which won us the trophy. And that is down to Shaun, who has been world-class.

“We are all in awe of him for how he’s improved us in that department. He will be a very difficult man to replace.”

Biggar (above) insists defeating England during the Six Nations was the catalyst to eventually winning the Grand Slam, and now believing they can lift the World Cup for the first time.

“We hadn’t played well in France but that secondhalf display against

England was fantastic and we then thought we could do it,” he said.

“Now, the World Cup is our big goal.

“New Zealand will start favourites again but the confidence and belief we have built up as players and we have in the coaching staff will put us in a very good place going into that tournament. “We can also go over there with an even stronger squad given that Toby Faletau, who has arguably been our best player in the past, has not played in any of our unbeaten run and should be available again.” Biggar, 29, insisted he had no problems with Gatland leaving him on the bench for most of the Six Nations.

“In a way it’s nice to take a back seat a little and I am kind of enjoying the role I have,” he added.