SHAUN OF THE DREAD

Farrell needs tries to take the title but knows he has defence guru and pal Edwards in his way

ANDY FARRELL has Shaun Edwards blocking his path to a Six Nations title this weekend – and expects his old Wigan mentor to be just as firedup as in their Central Park playing days.

A bonus-point win against France i n Paris i n Super Saturday ’s final game will guarantee Ireland the championship but Farrell knows putting four tries past a defence drilled by his old team-mate Edwards is a tall order.

France have yet to concede a bonus point since Edwards’ arrival from Wales, where he c onstr uct ed on e of the meanest defences in world rugby.

“He’ll probably snarl at me and ignore me for the first 10 minutes and we’ll probably shake hands afterwards,” said Farrell. “I was a young kid at Wigan – 14 or 15 – coming through and he took me under his wing for a spell. ell.

“He was captain of the Wigan side and when I played my first game he looked after me. He certainly did.

“He showed me what professionalism was because he was ahead d of his time as far as that t is concerned . I was s privileged to be involved d with him as a player.

“He’s a winner, Shaun. . He’s a fighter. That’s why y I know the French will ll be ready on Saturday y night.

“You can see the e difference straight away with the energy that he brings.

“He will be unbelievably clear in what he wants from them and when you’re clear and to the point you normally see a bit of fight and energy on the back of that.”

The pair won three Challenge Cups and three league championships together and were Great Britain team-mates at the 1995 World Cup.

But their relationship in union has always been as adversaries.

Edwards helped to eliminate England from their home World Cup with Wales in 2015 when Farrell was Stuart Lancaster’s assistant. But either side of that, Farrell has held the upper hand in beating Edwards to the Lions defence coach job for th e 2013 and 2017 tours.

Thi s seas on’s Si x

Nations title remains a target for both men, although if England collect a bonuspoint win in Italy, as expected, it will almost certainly push the championship out of France’s range.

Beating Ireland would secure a first top-two finish in the championship for nine years regardless and set down a positive early marker for Fabien Galthie’s side en route to their home World Cup in three years’ time.

Prop Cian Healy will win his 100th cap at the Stade de France in an Ireland side which will be without their most incisive attacker Garry Ringrose, who broke his jaw in the 50-point rout of Italy last weekend. Robbie Henshaw steps up to replace Bundee Aki in midfield.