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Edwards plays down row over 'harmless' middle-finger gesture

By Harry West
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards

Shaun Edwards was left “disappointed” at being questioned over his apparent middle-finger gesture while celebrating Wales’ Six Nations win over Ireland on Friday.

Two George North tries and one from Jamie Roberts earned Wales a 22-9 victory at the Principality Stadium – a result enthusiastically enjoyed by defence coach Edwards.

Television cameras picked up Edwards appearing to raise his middle finger during the celebrations, but the coach gave short shrift when quizzed on the subject during a media conference on Monday.

“I was very disappointed at that. It was a harmless hand gesture,” Edwards said.

“I was just throwing a punch in the air. Everyone was focusing on that as opposed to an incredible defensive performance. There was nothing in that whatsoever.”

North’s brace came at the end of a week which saw the wing’s place called into question, but Edwards believes his display was vindication of head coach Rob Howley’s decision to keep faith with the Northampton Saints man.

“I’m just thankful I didn’t listen to all those people who said he should have been dropped,” Edwards said.

“There’s no doubt George is a great player. He was really determined, he stuck to the defence systems and he scored a few tries. He’s a fantastic player and he’s a credit to his parents, he’s one of the nicest people you’ll meet.

“We’re on a roll and we want to keep it going. Let’s be honest, away wins in this championship have been rare. We’ll go into Paris [on Saturday] all guns blazing trying to get victories.

“The boss will decide on selection, the time to be building players is definitely on a summer tour, I would have thought.”

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Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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