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The reason why everyone thinks France are ready to challenge for the Six Nations
While many of the next generation of French superstars stood up in their victory over England on Sunday at the Stade de France, it was one familiar name that made the greatest impact.
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Gregory Alldritt, 22, and Antoine Dupont, 23, were at the heart of France’s victory in a young team led by Fabien Galthie and his new coaching team, but it was defence coach Shaun Edwards who may have left the most meaningful impression on the game.
Think we can already see the "Shaun Edwards" effect! !!!#FrancevEnglsnd
— Alan Truscott (@angwarry) February 2, 2020
The Shaun Edwards effect seems to have taken hold quickly in France! #SixNations
— Beth Edwards (@bethedwardsuk) February 2, 2020
In a match where England had significantly more possession, territory and carries, they found it almost impossible to penetrate a fervent French defence, making over one hundred fewer metres than their opponents. The effort had all the hallmarks of an Edwards defence, pressing hard and working tirelessly to drive England back, particularly in the first half where the Rugby World Cup finalists frequently saw themselves marched towards their own line.
France defence on fire? Shaun Edwards effect
— Jordan Morgan??????? (@JordMorg24) February 2, 2020
England are shell shocked. France are like a blue blanket in defence . Must be the Shaun Edwards effect ?
— Dafydd James (@DafyddJames13) February 2, 2020
While Eddie Jones’ side were profligate with the few chances they had, particularly after beating the rush defence out wide, it was only two moments of individual brilliance from Jonny May that brought England success. France dominated the middle of the field throughout the 80 minutes, aided by Manu Tuilagi going off after a quarter of the match. While the powerful centre showed promise before his departure, an inspired French defence looked as though they still would have handled him.
You could pick a random 15 women who do Zumba up penlan leisure centre, give them a month with Shaun Edwards and the all blacks would struggle to score against them
— moonshine (@JackeyTweet) February 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/patrickajr1/status/1223997625508167682?s=20
Why didn’t we sign Shaun Edwards after he left Wales? France defence was awesome!
— MMG (@MAMGoodlet) February 2, 2020
Can anyone tell me why Wales let Shaun Edwards go?
— Edd Chwieseni (@CrystalCranker) February 2, 2020
This performance is redolent of Wales’ win against England at Twickenham in 2008, which was the first match under Warren Gatland and Edwards. Wales won the Grand Slam that year, and went on to be a team defined by their resolute defence.
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Many people in Wales will rue letting the former rugby league star leave after the RWC, as will many in England for never snapping up the defence guru when the opportunities arose.
The victory on Sunday certainly felt like the beginning of a new era in France after a dismal decade, and Edwards’ impact is already being felt.
Watch: Matt Cockbain interview
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments