FORMER Dragons boss Darren Edwards is in the running to be the new head coach of Wales Sevens, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 45-year-old is a leading contender to be the successor to Richie Pugh, who has joined the Ospreys as contact skills coach.

Edwards, a former scrum-half who was part of Newport RFC’s cup-winning side of 2001, left his role as Bath’s backs coach at the end of last season.

He moved to the Rec in 2014 after five years at Rodney Parade, initially joining as Paul Turner’s attack coach, before going on to be head coach and then finishing as Lyn Jones’ assistant.

South Wales Argus:

It would be a return to international rugby for Edwards, who was Wales Under-20s boss in 2010/11 before leaving the role because of his Dragons commitments.

The new boss will spearhead Wales’ bid for a stronger campaign in the World Rugby Sevens Series after a disappointing 2018/19 when they narrowly avoided relegation.

The circuit kicks off in Dubai on the weekend of December 5 and builds through to next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.

Pugh was appointed last year after Gareth Williams, who was an assistant for the silver-winning GB squad in Rio, took over as boss of Wales Under-20s.

A 21-man squad -including a number of Dragons - spent three days in north Wales this week preparing for the coming campaign.

 

Owen Jenkins, Wales' top scorer in last season's series, has been released by the Welsh Rugby Union to the Rodney Parade region for the start of the Guinness PRO14.

The winger has started all three of the Dragons' games and wants to have another proper crack at 15s after impressing boss Dean Ryan.