Memory of 2020 weighs heavily on Shaun Edwards' mind after record score

France defence coach Shaun Edwards has revealed his key takeaway from Les Bleus’ record 54-12 win over his former team Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, which could have implications on the Six Nations title race.

After winning both of their first two games, France have a maximum 10 points and a points difference of +62, which puts them four points clear at the top of second-placed Scotland and five points ahead of England in third, who have the next-best points difference of +30.

Having seen France miss out on silverware in his inaugural Six Nations as their defence coach, Edwards feels this could be an important factor in deciding whether Les Bleus retain their title.

Preying on France’s minds could be the fact that they have Scotland and England to play in the final two rounds of the championship.

“Obviously points difference is a big thing,” he said in a post-match interview with Welsh language channel, S4C.

“I remember my first competition with France, in 2022, we lost on points difference, so it was something that we were very, very aware of, and keeping the points against you low.

“Our target today was 14 points, and we got 12.”

France have never scored as many points against Wales before, but Edwards believes the record scoreline has to be put into context.

“I think what people have to realise is the number of points scored in rugby is 100% different to how it was 15 years ago, 10 years ago, because the rules are so pro attack.

“To have a bit of a stuffing before was 25-3 or something like that, but now it is 50-odd.

“You look at the results in the Top 14 this weekend and there was like 75 points scored all the time, so you have to take it into context with that, having record scores against you and all that, because there has never been as many points scored in rugby as there is at the moment.”

Edwards had anther consolatory message for his former shell-shocked former team. “I thought their fitness levels were really good, they hung in there, there was effort, 100%, throughout the whole game.

“The ball-in-play was about 45 minutes, which is super, super high; I am sure things will turn around quickly.”

Wales are currently without a full-time defence coach, and would love to have someone of Edwards’ calibre back.

They are using Dan Lydiate on a part-time basis, as Steve Tandy, a defence specialist, is concentrating on his head coach duties.

Wales have conceded 102 points in the first two rounds, having lost 48-7 to England in their first game. Only once before in the history of the Six Nations has a team conceded more two games into a championship (Italy 121 points in 2001).

That said, France would have cut open better teams than Wales last Sunday, such was their attacking verve and mobility, and Edwards believes competition for places is driving standards.

“It’s nice to have mobility and it definitely helps the defence to have mobile players. It also helps to have the big guys to stop the mauls and in the scrums etc.

“Hopefully, we have a good balance now with Mickaël  (Guillard) and Thibaud Flament coming back as well; we are quite flush in the second row at the moment, bercause Charles (Ollivon) has joined the group.

“We’ve just got to play with the best of our ability and not think too much about our opponent, I always think that,” he added.

“Obviously, we are quite a high level team and if you’re a high level athlete or boxer or whatever, the main part of your preparation has to be about 70% of yourself and 30% about your opponent.

“What I have found with the French guys, when they are challenged, that’s when you see the best of them.

“You’ve seen what has happened recently, some incredibly good players, all-time greats have been replaced by 21 year olds; there is nothing like being on edge for your position.”