Edwards cool on England prospects

Edwards would be happy with a part-time role with England

Wasps coach Shaun Edwards has ruled out becoming England's new defence coach if the Rugby Football Union insists on making the position a full-time role.

"I am happy at Wasps. If England want to speak to me about being involved in both I would be very interested in that," he told BBC Sport on Five.

"But I am a big believer that coaches need to keep sharp and keep working.

"To rest is to rust. As assistant coach for England, Wales or Ireland, you should be working in club rugby too."

The RFU is placing advertisements this week for the three vacant assistant coach positions (forwards, defence and attack), but all are thought to be full-time positions.

If I can help in any small way I would be prepared to do that Shaun Edwards

Rugby league legend Edwards admits he has aspirations to coach at international level, particularly at a World Cup.

"Everyone would love to be involved in the buzz of international rugby, and the one thing that eluded me as a player was a World Cup winners medal," he added.

"I see the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Matt Dawson and Josh Lewsey and I am pretty jealous of that medal they have, or at least the chance to try to win one.

"I would love England to win the World Cup again and if I can help in any small way I would be prepared to do that.

"But I am very happy at Wasps. It is a home from home for me and I have no plans to leave at the moment."

Worsley plays a key role in Wasps' defensive system

Wasps flanker Joe Worsley believes Edwards - a key figure in Wasps' three successive Premiership titles and 2004 Heineken Cup success - merits an opportunity to prove his mettle wih England.

"Shaun deserves it, and I am sure he will do it one day, but maybe not yet," Worsley told BBC Sport.

"I think the RFU have a problem employing people part-time, and understandably Shaun doesn't want to do that.

"Coaches have such a short amount of time with the team, so what do they do the rest of the season? You can't hone your skills or practise your drills, so it is a very difficult job.

"You get good holidays, but like players you need to be doing it week in, week out and developing things."

Worsley paid tribute to departing England defence coach Phil Larder, but believes the time was right for fresh voices in the national set-up.

I think the next coaching regime will be a bit more to do with the clubs Joe Worsley

"Somone like Phil has been involved for seven or eight years, done a very good job and changed the way people think," he said.

"When he came in, defence was in the stone age and he was one of the pioneers in developing things. He had a very good run at it, fair play to him.

"But when Clive (Woodward) was there things were not going right and the last three Six Nations have been disappointing, so something had to happen."

Saracens coach Mike Ford is the other main contender for Larder's old role, with Bath head coach Brian Ashton favourite to reprise his old role as attack coach, and former Leicester coach John Wells tipped to take over the forwards.

"I think the next coaching regime will be a bit more to do with the clubs and keeping in touch with them," Worsley added.

"If they pick the (assistant coaches) I think they will, I have known most of them already, but it is still important to work with them as much as possible."