Now Dragons will call for Edwards

WALES defence coach Shaun Edwards is due to be announced as Bernard Jackman’s successor at the Dragons.

Jackman, the former Ireland hooker, 42, left the Welsh region this week and Edwards is in line for the job until at least the end of the 2018-19 season.

The 52-year-old Edwards would continue working with Wales until the end of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Edwards will then take over as head coach of Wigan Warriors.

Moving to Dragons would not affect Edwards’ role with Wales in the 2019 Six Nations or their buildup to the 2019 World Cup.

Forwards coach Ceri Jones took charge of yesterday’s Challenge Cup match at Clermont-Auvergne

Dragons captain Cory Hill says he and his playing colleagues were disappointed by Jackman’s departure.

“I am gutted, as well as all the other boys,” said the Wales lock. “It was a big shock to us. Bernard has done so much good in the region and moved us forward. I have come on leaps and bounds on and off the field under Bernard. Results have not gone our way, but he was doing massive things off the pitch and throughout the region.

“We are a tight group and moving to something special.”

Edwards was due to become a part-time member of the Dragons coaching staff as a defensive consultant under Jackman in the summer, but the move fell through.

He joined Ospreys instead, having spent the 2017-18 season in a similar role at Cardiff Blues.