Defence kingpin Shaun Edwards is leaving Wales after the World Cup.
The Welsh Rugby Union and Edwards himself have confirmed he will depart when business in Japan later this year is concluded.
The future of the former rugby league great has been the subject of speculation for weeks.
Edwards has been linked with taking over Wigan Warriors, moving to a position with the France national rugby union team and any number of Aviva Premiership possibilities.
He was also, at one stage, understood to be staying with Wales to work with in-coming coach Wayne Pivac and his new team.
But now we know he is definitely leaving...though his destination remains unclear.
Edwards said: "After more than 10 years with Wales this has been an incredibly difficult decision to reach but I won’t be renewing my contract. I would like to thank Warren and the WRU for the opportunity I have had working with the national team."
"We have won four Six Nations titles during my time with Wales, but I sincerely hope and believe that the best days are yet to come and I am fully focused on seeing what we can achieve in Japan."
Warren Gatland appealed earlier this week for the uncertainty around Edwards' future to be resolved before it became a distraction in the lead up to the World Cup.
And the Kiwi now has his wish.
Gatland said: "Shaun has been an important part of the Wales set up over the past 11 years for what has been a hugely rewarding time for Welsh rugby.
"It is pleasing that we can draw a line under the speculation regarding Shaun’s future with this announcement and we can look forward to preparing the squad for the RWC and the tournament itself in Japan later this year."
Wales' World Cup training squad
While Welsh rugby will be sorry to see Edwards leave given his outstanding decade-long service, Pivac stressed that he did very much have the option to stay on if he had so wished.
Pivac said: "Shaun has a great history with Wales and has been part of a coaching team that has been very successful.
"When Shaun’s availability post RWC recently became apparent we worked with him to offer him a new contract which he was happy with and for him to be part of the new look coaching team going forward.
"Shaun has decided not to take that contract, which we must respect and we wish Shaun the very best in what lies ahead for him post Wales."
