Shaun Edwards is ready to commit himself to Wales' 2011 World Cup challenge after he helped his adopted nation to Grand Slam glory.

The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed on Sunday that Edwards has not signed an official contract but is currently committed until January 2010 on the basis of a verbal agreement he has with coach Warren Gatland, a close friend.

Edwards, who doubles up as the Wasps head coach, is seen as the man England let go and Wales are aware that Twickenham, or any other ambitious union, could make an approach at any point.

But Edwards is keen to end all the speculation by putting pen to paper on a three-year contract with the WRU.

"I haven't signed anything yet because there are a few technicalities that need to be sorted out," Edwards told BBC Five Live.

"Ideally, I'd like to have two contracts running side by side. We've proven that it can work.

"A lot of it is down to Ian McGeechan (Wasps director of rugby) and Warren. I'd like to publicly thank the Wasps directors for the public support they've given me.

"I'd like to reward that support by signing a three-year deal with Wasps that will take me to 2011 and also sign a deal with Wales that will run to the next World Cup."

Gatland and WRU chief executive Roger Lewis are both relaxed over Edwards' current arrangements, believing his sense of loyalty holds more weight than any contract would.

But they are both keen to keep him on board for the World Cup in New Zealand.

"Losing Shaun to England is not something I have worried about," Gatland said.

"I suppose they have enough money to make that call - but why would Shaun want to leave what he has got at the moment, the set-up and the people he is working with to go to England?

"You have to trust and believe in the people you are working with. That is a big part of it. "Anyone who knows Shaun, that is a big part of what drives him to succeed. It is not just about winning but it's also about the people he works with who he respects and trusts.

"That is why our relationship has been so strong."

Lewis is sceptical about the value of contracts in professional sport - Eddie O'Sullivan appears to be on the brink of losing his job as Ireland coach only months after signing a four year deal.

And Lewis is determined to remain as flexible as possible in order to thrash out a deal which continues to suit Wales, Wasps and Edwards.

"We have an arrangement in place with Shaun until 2010 and we are looking at what happens after that," Lewis said.

"Warren and Shaun have a very good relationship and there is a huge deal of loyalty and trust between those two guys.

"We said from day one we would work for the best interests of Shaun and the Welsh Rugby Union. We have always been very relaxed over that.

"The agreement is based on a very special personal relationship between Warren and Shaun. We have been incredibly flexible with these guys.

"Wasps said in December time that Shaun wasn't available and if we made an approach they would attack us for breach of contract.

"We have always been working with Warren and with Ian McGeechan to make something work. And it really has worked - it has worked for Wasps and it has worked for us."

Gatland and Edwards first worked together at Wasps, where they won three Guinness Premiership titles and the Heineken Cup.

Their next coaching appointment could quite conceivably be with the Lions for the 2009 tour of South Africa.

Edwards has long harboured ambitions of being involved next year - it was a main reason for taking the Wales post - and Gatland is also now a prime contender.

Wales had their fingers burned in 2001 when Graham Henry led the Lions to Australia and it affected his relationship with his Wales players on the tour.

Gatland admits he would like to be involved with the Lions - but he stressed Wales must always come first.

"It is nice to be associated with that and it is something you might like to do. It depends how many Welsh players might be involved and if you had an influence there," he said.

"My first priority is Wales and making sure that is the most important thing going forward."

Wales do not have a senior Test tour in 2009 and any trip that does take place will be developmental, both for players and coaches.

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