Edwards: I am as good as any coach on earth

SHAUN EDWARDS launched a passionate defence of his coaching record yesterday, saying he is still the master as he prepares to take on his apprentice. Ahead of Wales’s NatWest 6 Nations match against Ireland tomorrow it was suggested to defence coach Edwards that his opposite number Andy Farrell had transformed the Irish side. ‘Andy Farrell was an outstanding player,’ said 51-year-old Edwards, ‘and he has turned himself into an outstanding coach. ‘But I stick my record up against anybody in world rugby. The only person who has won more trophies than me is (former All Blacks coach) Wayne Smith, and he is an absolute legend of coaching. I’ve won 13 major trophies — 10 as an assistant coach and three as a head coach.’ He added: ‘If I get an offer as a head coach in rugby league or union, I will listen to it.’ For Ireland, rookie tighthead Andrew Porter is set for a baptism of fire. The 22-year-old Leinster prop has been handed his first Six Nations start in place of hamstrung Tadhg Furlong. Injured Lions Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson will be replaced by Chris Farrell and James Ryan respectively. IRELAND: Kearney; Earls, Farrell, Aki, Stockdale; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (capt), Porter; Toner, James Ryan; O’Mahony, Stander, Leavy. Subs: Cronin, McGrath, John Ryan, Roux, Conan, Marmion, Carbery, McFadden.