Shaun Edwards last night made good on the promise he gave Warren Gatland following the Grand Slam by signing a three-year contract to remain part of the Wales coaching staff until the next World Cup.

Edwards, 41, was in high demand after he played a key role in transforming Wales' fortunes following their World Cup debacle.

He is understood to have met with prospective England team manager Martin Johnson - but if there was any approach from Twickenham it was too late.

Edwards and Gatland, former colleagues at Wasps and close friends, formed a formidable coaching team as Wales stormed to the Grand Slam.

After lifting the RBS 6 Nations trophy they shook hands on a new long-term agreement and Edwards had no plans to back out of it.

"Warren is massively important," said Edwards, who will also continue in his capacity as Wasps head coach.

"A lot of people have helped my coaching career and he is a major one. There was no decision to make with England - the contracts were agreed a while ago.

"I am delighted that this deal secures my future with Wales until 2011.

"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.

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

Interest from England was understandable as the Rugby Football Union attempt to fill the newly-created team manager's role - which Johnson has been linked with - and hire another specialist coach.

Wales' Grand Slam triumph was built on the defence that Edwards built, which set a Six Nations record by conceding just two tries all tournament.

Edwards took the job with Wales in January after England's best offer was a coaching position with the second-string Saxons.

He would like to coach England one day - but for now his focus is Wales, Wasps and earning a position on the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour.

"I live the present day and, there's no doubt that coaching England is a very attractive prospect but at the moment I'm committed to Wales and Wasps," he said.

"I feel I'm a better coach now than I was at the start of year and in three years time I'll probably be an even better one."

Edwards' immediate focus is Wasps' Guinness Premiership title challenge but in the summer he will travel with for two Tests against world champions South Africa.

"We want to be competitive in all the games we play whether its the All Blacks, the Springboks or Australia," said Edwards.

"We still have a bit of a a way to go get to that but we've got off on a good footing."

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis and Wasps boss Tony Copsey also reached agreement on the complex legal issues which will see Edwards split his time.

"Shaun Edwards, in a remarkably short space of time, has gained a unique place within Welsh rugby," said Lewis.

"Shaun thoroughly deserves his fast growing worldwide rugby reputation as an outstanding coach. He has the capacity, attitude and integrity to make a huge difference to the teams he works with and the focus he brings to his task is legendary."

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