England's post-World Cup uncertainty has all but cost them the chance of recruiting Shaun Edwards. Wales announced on Sunday that he had agreed a new four-year contract to continue as their defence coach.

Edwards had emerged as the popular choice to become England's head coach, regardless of whether Martin Johnson survived as team manager, but he refused to put his name forward for a position that was not vacant and the Welsh Rugby Union kept talking to him, even when he went on holiday to New York last week.

"I was in touch with him daily and concluded matters positively on Saturday," said the Welsh Rugby Union chief executive, Roger Lewis. "Shaun has proved himself as a coach at the very highest level and he is held in respect and affection by the players and the Welsh rugby public."

Cardiff Blues had hoped to recruit Edwards, who became Wales's defence coach in January 2008, to their management team, but he is keen to remain working in the Premiership and continue working with Wales part-time, according to Lewis.

"Shaun really gets switched on and motivated by weekly rugby and he wanted to keep a link with the English Premiership," said Lewis. "He's in negotiation with an English club. He won't leave the Wales camp in Test week, but there will be an opportunity for him to keep his hand in with the Premiership."

The club is believed to be Leicester, who have made a poor start to their league campaign, but Lewis said Edwards would only spend one day a week in England and the rest of his time working with the age-group sides in the WRU's national academy as well as with Welsh Premiership clubs. "We want our coaches to have an influence over our elite players early in their development," said Lewis. "Under the terms of his contract Shaun will be released one day a week, apart from Test match weeks, to work with a Premiership club."

England are expected to decide on Johnson's future, and that of his management team, by the beginning of next month after the Rugby Football Union's board of directors has considered a recommendation from the professional game board.

Johnson may decide before then that he does not want to extend his contract, which runs out at the end of December, even though players and coaches have been urging him to carry on.