Wasps fans and players would hate to see him leave but Shaun Edwards looks certain to take his first step into becoming an international coach.

The former Rugby League star has quickly replicated the reputation that he had in the 13-man game to rugby union and his success at Wasps looks certain to lead him to bigger and brighter things.

"I would like to be involved in international rugby," Edwards told the Rugby Club.

"I would like to go on a Lions tour and do all the great things that other people have done and be involved in such things."

Edwards could well be part of the next Lions tour to South Africa in 2009, but before that he has to make the decision as to where his first forage into international coaching will take place.

England have offered him chance to coach the England Saxons, while new Warren Gatland wants him as part of a new-look Wales management team.

"Warren is more than a coach to me, he is a pal," explained Edwards.

"He helped me enormously through my life and I would like to work with Warren again on some basis.

"Whether that would be with Wales or with someone else, I don't know.

"I suppose in an ideal world you would want to be involved in the country of your birth. But England have just got to the World Cup final and are ranked number four in the world so maybe they don't need me as coach - they have done pretty good. In Mike Ford they have a marvellous defensive coach."

One player who believes England should hold onto Edwards his former England skipper Lawrence Dallaglio who knows exactly what Edwards can bring to the table.

"He is the best rugby coach in England by a country mile," said Dallaglio.

"I don't know what you have to do to prove yourself as an international coach but he has won six trophies since he has been here at Wasps including two European Cups.

"That surely has to be the breeding ground for international coaches. I am sure his time will come and when it does England will be a far better team for it."

While Edwards star may be burning bright, he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and is concentrating hard on the job he has at the moment. There is no resting on his laurels.

"I could not get a job for eighteen months after I retired from rugby," remembers Edwards.

"It can be very dark times and you can feel out of sync and you question your own value and your own worth.

"No matter what success comes my way I will always remember those eighteen months and that will keep me humble, honest and hardworking."