1
Does anyone really know what to expect from Shaun Edwards' appointment?
Following months of speculation, Shaun Edwards has been officially named the new defence coach of France after he parted ways with Wales following twelve years alongside Warren Gatland.
ADVERTISEMENT
He joins Fabien Galthie’s extensive team, as they seek to rebuild French rugby after Jacques Brunel’s reign and a number of years in the doldrums.
This appointment has evoked quite a reaction from the world of rugby, as it is such a huge difference in cultures.
That is why some believe Edwards can be the catalyst to turn this undoubtedly talented French team into world champions in 2023, and even Six Nations winners in 2020, and some also think this may not be too successful.
Since his time at Wasps and Wales with Gatland, Edwards has been a merciless taskmaster and has built a Wales team famed for their defence and fitness. In fact, they won the Grand Slam this year purely on the back of their defence, as they scored the fewest tries in the championship.
#Rugby ? Présentation du staff du XV de France par Fabien Galthié @FranceRugby pic.twitter.com/RLc6QEK19V
— Midi Libre Sports (@MidiLibreSports) November 13, 2019
If they actually listen to Shaun Edwards they have to be worth a punt to win. If he can give them a defence, even a solid one, you have to be excited for them, and a little scared for everyone else!
— Phil Evans (@bigphilgj) November 13, 2019
This is either going to end very well for France (winning the 2023 RWC), or it is going to end spectacularly badly.
— Small Man Peaky (@jonnymango95) November 13, 2019
This was always Edwards’ approach since his days in rugby league with Wigan, England and Britain. He expects his players to buy into this mentality, which he has inculcated into the Wales team over the years, particularly in the famed training camps that they were made to endure.
The problem that Edwards faces is the fact that his ethos seems to be the diametric opposite of French rugby’s over the past decade. This is a team that are notoriously capricious, who revolted against their coach Marc Lievremont in 2011, and supposedly did the very same thing with Brunel at this recent RWC.
ADVERTISEMENT
If he is given the backing then I think this could be one of the shrewdest appointments around. Will make an immense difference to a side who showed potential glimpses of brilliance on attack #Edwards #FrenchRugby
— Graeme Peacock (@graemepeacock05) November 13, 2019
Can’t wait to see how Shaun Edwards gets on with France.
They couldn’t have picked a better character type to sort out their problems but if there’s one thing the French love it’s a revolutiooooonnnnnn ??
— Robbie Field (@Reezus05) November 13, 2019
To make matters worse, a lack of fitness has been endemic across French rugby over the past few years, from the national team to the clubs.
This is the bedrock in which Edwards’ defence is built upon and may require some monumental changes to the approach of the players. It is this clash of cultures which will be the hardest hurdle to overcome for four-time Grand Slam winning coach.
If shaun Edwards is still France defence coach they will win the next world cup
— michael watkins (@gummy121283) November 13, 2019
Shaun Edwards is about to transform French rugby
— Luke (@_LukeMoo) November 13, 2019
After winning the past two World Rugby Under-20 Championships, France arguably have the most promising team in international rugby and the world got a glimpse of their emerging stars at the RWC.
ADVERTISEMENT
If Edwards can click with this team, it is understandable why so many think they could become a force once again.
WATCH: Wales’ decision to play Jonathan Davies against the All Blacks is now under scrutiny.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments