PREM heavyweights miss out on Wales fly-half Dan Edwards

Leicester Tigers look set to miss out on the signing of Wales fly-half Dan Edwards, who, according to some sources, has re-signed with the Ospreys, which the region hasn’t confirmed.

The Tigers had talks with the 22-year-old from Port Talbot as they step up their search for a long-term successor to James O’Connor, who is yet to decide if he wants to continue playing for the club next season.

Wallaby star O’Connor, who turns 36 next July, is widely expected to decide his future in the next few weeks, and the Tigers were looking to supplement their stocks, which include Orlando Bailey and Billy Searle.

Edwards has established himself as Wales’s first-choice fly-half against Japan in July, and then started all four of the autumn internationals and was in stunning form, helping the Ospreys to a 26-19 Boxing Day victory over the Scarlets.

Speaking to Wales-online after what could be the final West Wales derby at the Parc y Scarlets, he said how much it meant to him to play for the region, which could have been a massive hint about his future.

“It was class to play in. It was a really good atmosphere, and thanks to the fans for coming out. It means a lot to me being an Osprey. I am a Cwmafan boy through and through, and I’m from the region.

“It means so much, especially in these games, just knowing how big they have been over the past years. I think that’s up there with one of my favourites,” he said.

Sources have indicated that a deal for Edwards is being backed by the Welsh Rugby Union, which will honour his contract and move him to another Welsh club on their signed terms if the Ospreys fold.

Edwards would be ineligible for Wales if he followed Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan across the English border, unless the WRU scraps Gatland’s law, which requires players based outside Wales to have earned at least 25 international caps.