FORMER Newport Gwent Dragons head coach Darren Edwards has joined the management team at Bath.

Edwards, who left Rodney Parade in February after five years with the region, has headed to the Rec as first team coach.

The former Newport scrum-half links up with the current management team of Mike Ford, Toby Booth and Neal Hatley for the ambitious West Country outfit, who were runners-up in the Amlin Challenge Cup and were pipped to a place in the Aviva Premiership playoffs last season.

“I can’t wait to get started at Bath,” said Edwards. “They have a fantastic and dynamic young squad, who have masses of potential to build on.

“It’s a really exciting time to be joining the club and I’m looking forward to helping them reach the ambitions they have over the coming seasons.”

Edwards will be working with the likes of George Ford, Kyle Eastmond, Gavin Henson and big-money recruit from rugby league Sam Burgess.

Head coach Ford said: “We’re thrilled Darren has agreed to join us. He’s got a wealth of experience on both the playing and coaching side, and will add another dimension to our coaching team.

“We made huge progress as a squad last season, but only really scratched the surface of what this group of players can do.”