Shaun Edwards hopes a contract with Wales can be "done, dusted and signed" this week as speculation continues linking him with Brian Ashton's job as England head coach.

Edwards, head coach at Wasps as well as Wales' defence coach, played a significant role in the RBS 6 Nations Championship triumph and has been tipped as a future England boss.

The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed yesterday 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.

And Edwards has reiterated his plans are with Wales, not England.

He told the Guardian: "Forget speculation which seems to go hand-in-hand with the end of any tournament, the facts are these: I want to get my future until 2012 sorted.

"And that future means twin contracts running in tandem for the next three years. With any luck the deals can be done, dusted and signed this week."