Shaun Edwards' future is still yet to be nailed down as he spoke for the first time since reports emerged he was joining France's coaching staff after the Rugby World Cup.
After failed attempts from the Welsh Rugby Union to tie the defence guru to incoming Wales head coach Wayne Pivac's coaching team, it looked as though he was heading overseas.
It was reported that the French Rugby Federation offered Edwards the four-year contract that the WRU wouldn't and that he would be joining Les Bleus after the global gathering.
But it appears that move is yet to be rubber-stamped.
When asked about heading into his final World Cup with Wales, Edwards laughed: “I'll be at the next World Cup because I am going to France.”
Before cryptically adding: “It’s not been announced. There are a few things to sort out so it's not definite, but I will be staying in rugby union.
“I've gone into the last two World Cups knowing if we don’t do well I’ll have no job afterwards. I prefer to be on edge.”
This comes after Edwards was told by Gatland, in no uncertain terms, to sort his future out the day he unveiled Wales' Rugby World Cup training squad back in April.
The 52-year-old's future has been a long-running saga ever since he pulled out of his proposed move to the Wigan Warriors rugby league team.
In August last year, Edwards was unveiled by Wigan at a press conference, though he vowed to see out his contract with the Welsh Rugby Union.
But, after months of uncertainty, the move was officially off the table in April this year, with Edwards citing a lack of preparation time as his reason for not taking up the job.
"It was difficult with Wigan. Very difficult. It’s probably better off left unsaid. I am looking to the future now," said Edwards.
“Adrian Lam and I are still close friends and we message each other after matches. He said Wigan would struggle at the start of the season with Zak Hardaker and lot of new players coming in.
“I said Wigan needed a more experienced rugby league coach than me and I was right – they are now doing well. I think they’ll win Super League this year again.
“It would be the first time Wigan have gone back-to-back too.”
Edwards has been involved with Wales during their last two World Cup campaigns, going out in the semi-final in 2011 and the quarter-finals in 2015.
The Webb Ellis Trophy has continued to evade him and Wales, whilst they've wrapped up three Grand Slams and a further Six Nations title with his help.
“We have done a lot of good things in the last 18 months, but you have got to do it when it matters and it is going to really matter over the next two months,” added Edwards.
“We have performed relatively well at World Cups so far, but I am a little bit sick of watching everybody else in the final. That's how I work.
“There is only one defence coach in the northern hemisphere who has ever won the World Cup and that's Phil Larder. Phil was a great mentor to me. He led the way for people from rugby league to come into rugby union. I have set myself a little target of trying to get into a final.”
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