Shaun Edwards quits London Irish role to focus on Wales duties

Defence coach Shaun Edwards has quit his consultancy role at London Irish to concentrate on his duties with the Wales national team.

Edwards began working one day a week with the Exiles in September.

London Irish have the worst defence in the Premiership and lie second bottom in the table.

"After consultation with Roger Lewis, CEO of the WRU, I am to concentrate solely on Welsh rugby in the build-up to Rugby World Cup 2015," Edwards said.

A disappointing season

London Irish have won just two league games from 12 this season, conceding 31 tries

"Thus my consultancy work will cease with immediate effect."

Edwards was defence coach for the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa in 2009 but was overlooked by his Wales head coach Warren Gatland for this year's Australia tour.

London Irish, who reached the Premiership final in 2009, have struggled this season, conceding 31 tries to lie only one point clear of bottom-club Sale.

Edwards worked alongside Gatland at London Wasps and the club went on to win two Heineken Cup titles.

He linked up with Wales at the end of 2007, with the national team winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2008 and 2012 as well as reaching the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup.