CARDIFF (AFP) - Shaun Edwards committed his international coaching future to Wales by signing a three-year contract with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), the governing body announced Thursday.

Edwards, renewing his partnership with former Wasps boss Warren Gatland in the New Zealander's first season as Wales head coach, helped his new side claim a Six Nations Grand Slam last month.

The new deal means Edwards will continue to prepare Wales squads for all their games up to and including the next Rugby World Cup in 2011.

His new contract extends Edwards's involvement as Wales's assistant coach beyond the original two-year arrangement that was agreed last year.

And it also rules him out of becoming a member of England's backroom staff before the next World Cup, which takes place in New Zealand.

Edwards was offered a position with the England reserve side, not the senior national team, before joining Wales.

Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's director of elite rugby who could have put Edwards's name forward for a senior England position, publicly questioned whether the Great Britain rugby league great could combine working for Wales and Wasps.

That was before Edwards, a defence specialist, saw Wales concede just two tries during the Six Nations - a record for the tournament.

Edwards, who will continue to combine his position as Wasps head coach with his Wales post, said Thursday: "I am delighted that this deal secures my future with Wales until 2011."

The 41-year-old, who travels to South Africa with Wales for their two-match tour in June, added: "We have won the Grand Slam, but now it is time to focus on preparing to face the world champions.

"I am extremely grateful to the managements of both Wasps and the Welsh Rugby Union for giving me this opportunity to work with these two marvellous teams. I can now focus all my energy on achieving a lot more success with both teams on the field where it matters most.

"My loyalty to Wasps is undiminished and I have already formed an extremely close bond with the Welsh team and the Welsh fans.

"There has been a lot of speculation about my future, but I feel very excited about working with my co-coaches and back room staff within the Welsh set-up.

"The Welsh squad has been great, fast to learn and have given everything asked of them even though that has sometimes been painful.

"There is still a lot of work to be done with the Wales squad, but they are a talented group of players and I am looking forward to the future."

WRU chief executive Roger Lewis said: "This is an important day for Wales. We are assembling a formidable array of talent to ensure we re-position Welsh rugby at the forefront of the global game.

"Shaun Edwards, in a remarkably short space of time, has gained a unique place within Welsh rugby. Shaun thoroughly deserves his fast growing worldwide rugby reputation as an outstanding coach.

"This contract with Shaun ensures he and Warren can work and plan towards goals which can be realised through to the next World Cup and that is an exciting prospect for the whole of Welsh rugby."

Manwhile England, runners-up to Wales in the Six Nations, are still looking for a manager to bolster the coaching regime of Brian Ashton.

Martin Johnson, England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain, is favourite for the new post with the RFU expected to make an announcement next week.