Edwards hints he may coach in RL one day

Shaun Edwards was unveiled as the future Wigan coach at the DW Stadium, only to make a U-turn

The Wigan legend turned down the chance to take charge of his hometown club this year, opting to stay in union with the France national set-up.

Asked if he may ever coach in league, Edwards says his decision to live near Perpignan was to maintain ties to the code in which he cast his playing legacy.

“I’m here, right close to where Catalans play – that didn’t happen by accident,” he said on last night’s episode of the Micky and Woody Show, a podcast by former players Micky Higham and Paul Wood.

“I came here to live in this area, I took a few of the lads out for some dinner before Christmas, the ex-Wigan lads like Micky McIlorum and Joel and Sam Tomkins, and had a good craic.

“I do see them a lot, I still love rugby league and can’t wait to start watching Catalans play in Perpignan.”

Edwards repeated a claim that he turned down Wigan after learning how involved Ian Lenagan was in choosing staff – as opposed to the “direct control” he had at Wasps RU – but says there’s no bitterness and described the Warriors chairman as “still a great friend of mine”.

He added: “I want to wish Wigan all the best, Lammy has assembled a great team there and hopefully we get some trophies this year.

“I’m sure with John Bateman coming back – a great signing for Wigan – there’s good times and trophies around the corner.”