Selby have completed a massive coup with the appointment of dual-code Welsh international Diccon Edwards as their new coach.

The much-travelled centre has an impressive CV of former clubs, having played union for Leicester, Wakefield, Newport, Leeds Tykes and Wales 'A' and league for the likes of Castleford Tigers and Wales. He even has a first division championship medal after starring for Leicester alongside the likes of Dean Richards and Martin Johnson.

However, a serious injury to his right shoulder has forced the former Pocklington School pupil to step away from Wakefield and the game - at a professional and amateur level - at the tender age of 30.

But rather than pack in altogether, Brayton-based Edwards has decided to take his first tentative steps into the world of coaching at the club he started his career as a youngster.

"I can't wait to get going now," Edwards told the Evening Press. "I always wanted to get involved in coaching, but this role has come along a little bit sooner than I thought.

"I think that I still had something to offer at Wakefield if it hadn't been for the shoulder, but on medical advice I have had to pack it in.

"I had an operation on the tendon about two and a half years ago, but it has worn away again and I was told that one more hit would be enough to leave me unable to use it again.

"I've always kept in touch with Selby and after I dislocated the same shoulder in January I was coming down to the club when Wakefield were away to watch them and the idea was then muted about taking on a coaching role.

"I played minis at Selby from six all the way up to 17, when we won the Yorkshire Cup and I always wanted to return as a player or a coach at some stage. Unfortunately it won't be as a player."

While Edwards takes up the coaching mantle, he joins new directors of rugby Steve Cruise and Ray Adamson to form a Wakefield axis within the club.

Former coach Cruise, club stalwart Adamson and Edwards have had spells at the top-level with the College Grove and Selby can expect that experience to flow through at Sandhill Lane.

"There is a bit of a Wakefield connection with the three of us and hopefully we can use that," added Edwards, who will take charge of pre-season on June 24. "I think all professional clubs play in a similar style now.

"I'm looking to introduce an expansive style as that is what I like to watch from the sidelines and I hope the supporters do to."

Updated: 11:15 Friday, June 13, 2003