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Clive Woodward left perplexed by Shaun Edwards' latest move
World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward has declared France as the “team to beat in four years’ time” after Shaun Edwards was confirmed as their defence coach.
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The former England coach said this on Twitter after Edwards joined Fabien Galthie’s coaching team to start a new era in French rugby.
Woodward was himself a candidate to take over the France team from Jacques Brunel after the RWC and he has said that the former Wales defence coach will be a “real game-changer” for them.
However, Woodward also questioned, “Why England Rugby did not move heaven and earth to get Shaun to Twickenham?”
This is surely on every England rugby fan’s mind and has indeed been for the past twelve years, as Edwards was also linked with England in 2007 before he joined Warren Gatland’s set-up with Wales.
Well done @FranceRugby re Shaun Edwards .. a real game changer for them – France will be the team to beat in 4 years time . Have never understood why @EnglandRugby did not move heaven and earth to get Shaun to Twickenham , another English coach working with our greatest rivals ?! https://t.co/R0rcZIaomd
— Sir Clive Woodward (@CliveWoodward) November 14, 2019
The former British and Irish Lions coach rued the fact that this is “another English coach working with our greatest rivals”. During his time with Wales, Edwards won four Six Nations titles alongside Gatland, including three Grand Slams. He has been the architect of what has at times looked like an impenetrable defence, particularly in 2019 where it was the platform for their success.
This looks like another four years that Edwards has evaded England’s grasp and it is understandable why questions are being asked as to why yet another country will bear the fruits of one of the country’s top coaches. John Mitchell has done a wonderful job with England since he joined Eddie Jones’ staff in 2018, but there was surely a role for Edwards in some capacity.
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Shaun Edwards' peaked cap can now officially become a beret as the worst kept secret in rugby has been confirmed… he will be working with France after leaving Wales
https://t.co/EXMVk81TTC— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 13, 2019
After Brian Ashton’s departure following the 2007 RWC, Edwards was a popular choice to become part of a new-look England coaching team. This was off the back of years of success with Wasps, both as an assistant and head coach, where he was a major exponent of the blitz defence.
He brought his defensive nous to the Wales team in 2008 and established them as a force in the northern hemisphere – and indeed global rugby – after that. What’s worse for England fans is that he orchestrated one of the lowest points in their history, when they were knocked out of their own RWC in the pool stages courtesy of Wales.
Given this success, it is no surprise that Woodward feels that Edwards can help revive French rugby – albeit he, and many others, are confused that England have not captured him.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments