The 21-year-old Ospreys outside half had been due to train with Wales during the Autumn Nations Series but injury prevented him from doing that. Since then he has bossed the Ospreys side and led them to a home tie in the Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup and piece together a four match unbeaten run under head coach Mark Jones.
He will be vying with Cardiff Rugby’s Ben Thomas for the coveted Wales No 10 jersey and everybody is speaking positively about his elevation to the international arena.
“I think Dan will go pretty well. He’s a good player with a lot to learn, but he knows that,” said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones.
“He gets stuck in on both sides of the ball. Getting picked in the squad is the easy part, so if he gets his chance he has to take it.
“He has got a brilliant mentality and he knows what he wants. He backs what he thinks is right and he trusts himself.
“He leads other people as well as himself on the pitch and he’s a very honest and clear communicator. He works out the plan with the coaches and then drives that with his teammates.
“He encourages people around him but doesn’t mince his words either. I can’t remember an outside half who has played for Wales who hasn’t received criticism – and a lot of it – and he knows what’s coming and he’ll be able to handle it.”
Wales skipper Jac Morgan plays week in, week out with Edwards and has seen him grow this season and last since he emerged from the Wales U20 programme.
“He’s really matured this year and he’s grown in confidence. What’s great is that he’s talking to us forwards, telling us where to go, where to be,” said Morgan.
“It’s just easier sometimes if the boys are coming up from a Scrum or something, or a maul, and he’s telling us where to go and we just go without thinking.
“He’s been great this year, and I think he’s grown in confidence. He’s great at communicating with us on what he wants us to do and what he wants the team to do.”
With Scarlets pivot Sam Costelow ruled out of the championship through injury Warren Gatland has brought in Edwards to bolster his options. Thomas started for Wales at No 10 in the two Tests in Australia, but has only made one appearance in that position this season for his club.
