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Another curveball thrown in the saga of Shaun Edwards' future beyond 2019 - reports
The Welsh Rugby Union’s stubbornness in only offering Shaun Edwards a two-year deal may not be the only stumbling block to the Englishman continuing to work as Wales defence coach beyond the 2019 World Cup.
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It has now emerged that Edwards, having put an end to the verbal agreement that he initially was to switch to rugby league and take over at Wigan Warriors, is reportedly in negotiations to potentially become France’s new defence coach under their head coach-in-waiting, Fabien Galthie.
Edwards’ talks with the WRU, which only a week an a half ago appeared to be nearing a fruitful conclusion, were thrown into disarray when the defence coach took umbrage that he was being only offered a two-year contract, unlike the other assistants who have agreed to work under Wayne Pivac.
New attack coach Stephen Jones, forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys, defence coach Byron Hayward and current fitness chief Paul Stridgeon have all been given four-year deals.
Kicking specialist Neil Jenkins, who will remain part of the set-up with enhanced duties as a second attack coach alongside Jones, is also believed to have been given a deal until following the 2023 World Cup in France.
Shaun Edwards pourrait devenir entraîneur de la défense du XV de France dans le futur staff de Fabien Galthié https://t.co/pKal1cwyvP pic.twitter.com/goU4pwpFkP
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) April 22, 2019
The WRU’s decision to only offer long-serving Edwards an extension that was only half the length of these other deals left the 52-year-old upset as he has been an integral figure alongside head coach Warren Gatland in Wales winning four Six Nations titles – three with Grand Slams – and reaching a World Cup semi-final. They are currently on a record unbeaten run of 14 consecutive wins and are touted as one of the favourites for the World Cup in Japan.
It has now emerged in reports in France that while Bernard Laporte’s grassroots referendum failed to pave the way to a foreigner taking over as their head coach through to the 2023 World Cup, it appears their staff could still have a foreign influence as Edwards has been in contact with the proposed Galthie regime.
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EXCLUSIVE: Wales' bid to keep Shaun Edwards thrown into doubt as contract negotiations stall | @andyhowellsport https://t.co/Qr1SYfi9xn
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) April 17, 2019
The incoming France team manager is set to be Raphael Ibanez, who would have played at Wasps when Edwards was helping them win the European Cup.
Edwards wouldn’t be their first non-French defence coach. Fellow Englishman Dave Ellis successfully worked under Laporte and Marc Lievremont when they won a hatful of Six Nations championships.
With Ibanez expected to be team manager, contacts are still ongoing with Laurent Labit and William Servat, while Thibault Giroud is expected to be in charge of the physical preparation.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Ireland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
43 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
43 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
43 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
43 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
43 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
43 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
43 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
43 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
43 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
43 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
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