WORLD Cup heroes Jamie Roberts and Dan Biggar have appealed to Shaun Edwards to stick with Wales and go for glory in four years time.

Defence coach Edwards has been a key part of Wales’ success in the past seven years as Warren Gatland’s team have secured three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, and reached the World Cup knock-out staged twice.

Head coach Gatland is under contract until after the 2019 World Cup in Japan but Edwards is yet to agree an extension.

The 48-year-old is therefore free to talk to his many suitors in the world game but Roberts and Biggar say the players are desperate for the coaching team to stick together.

“Shaun Edwards is a magnificent coach and a wonderful guy and he’s got the best out of us defensively,” said Roberts after Saturday’s agonising 23-19 quarter-final defeat to South Africa at Twickenham.

“The guys putting their bodies on the line was amazing to watch.

“You see your fellow players really launching their bodies and sacrificing their health really for the sake of the team and the country is inspiring.

“I hope the coaching team stay together,” he added. “I think it’s a great mix of characters and styles of coaching that the boys really enjoy.

“They bring out the best in the players but we’ll see what happens.”

Biggar, who kicked 14 points and created a superb try for Gareth Davies on Saturday, also wants Edwards, Rob Howley and Robin McBryde to stay.

“Absolutely,” he said. “That has been the key to our success since they have been involved, it is the consistency of boys rocking up to camp on a Monday morning and knowing exactly what we are going to get from the coaching team and what the sessions are. That is a key part.

“Every single person in our back-room staff plays a massive role, from the masseuse to the head coach.

“If we can keep as many of those together as possible it gives us a great chance moving forward.

“Hopefully, we can get some players fit as well, which is fairly important.

“But it will be a massive, massive blow if we didn’t hold onto any of them.

“That is what has been so key for us – that consistency and familiarity of what goes on in our camp.

“It has been like a club side, you can’t describe it any other way, we have been a club side for the last four months and it has been pretty special to be a part of.”