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'I'm disappointed with Wayne Pivac's comments - he has no idea what my salary is in France'

By Online Editors
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards

Shaun Edwards has hit back at Wayne Pivac after the incoming Wales coach suggested on Tuesday that the reason the current defence coach snubbed a WRU contract offer was “probably a financial one”.

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Edwards is believed to be considering a four-year offer from France after he turned down a two-year deal with Wales to work under Pivac once Warren Gatland steps away from the helm following the World Cup in Japan.

Pivac addressed the matter at his weekly media conference ahead of Scarlets’ European qualification play-off versus Ospreys next Saturday in Swansea, stating: “We had some talks with Shaun and they were productive, but we did not quite get it over the line. It is an individual choice and probably a financial one.”

The rumbustious Edwards, though, has taken issue with Pivac’s accusation, contacting Welsh media on Wednesday to insists that money wasn’t a factor in his decision to move on from Wales when the Gatland era concludes.

In a statement issued to WalesOnline, Edwards wrote: “I’m disappointed with Wayne Pivac’s comments – he has no idea what my salary is in France.

“The Wales team is on the greatest run in the history of Welsh rugby with 14 international victories in a row.

“We have recently won the Grand Slam and a fourth Six Nations title under our head coach Warren Gatland.

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“I have been a part of them and have given Wales 12 years of loyal service, enjoying my time here immensely and having a great rapport with the Welsh public, who I love. There’s a lot to be excited about with the World Cup around the corner.”

It is believed that Edwards would have stayed with Wales had he been offered the full four-year deal he wanted. However, the chance to work with France through to the 2023 World Cup held sway, leaving the long-serving defence coach at odds with the Pivac regime.

WATCH: Warren Gatland announces Wales’ training squad for the 2019 World Cup

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Bull Shark 2 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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