A BRAD NEWS DAY AT LEEDS
SHAUN EDWARDS says Wales’ defensive display against Ireland was their best since he headed over the Severn Bridge in 2008.
But Rob Howley’s assistant has rejected suggestions he celebrated Jamie Roberts’ late try, which sealed a 22-9 win, with an obscene single-finger gesture.
Defence chief Edwards (left) appeared to be caught on camera making such a signal, but he said: “There was nothing in that whatsoever. It was just a harmless hand gesture.
“I was very disappointed at that. I couldn’t believe why so many people looked at that.
“I was throwing a punch in the air and people are talking about that, rather than an incredible defensive performance, where Ireland were kept try-less for the PW D L F A TPts England 4 4 0 0 137 68 2 18 Ireland 4 2 0 2 113 68 2 10 France 4 2 0 2 87 72 2 10 Wales 4 2 0 2 84 66 1 9 Scotland 4 2 0 2 93 118 1 9 Italy 4 0 0 4 50 172 0 0 first time for four years. I’m a child of the 1990s and, if you are going to say something rude, you stick two fingers up and not one.”
Of Wales’ impressive defensive display, Edwards added: “It was the best, to be honest, because of the standard of the opponent.
“Never did I dream we’d keep Ireland to nine points. But the boys did it. Our front-line defence was ferocious at times.” LEEDS could be without prop Brad Singleton for up to two months after he was charged with striking Catalans’ Greg Bird with his elbow.
He will face the RFL disciplinary this afternoon following the incident against the Dragons on Friday.
Singleton (above) was placed on report for the challenge, which was later slammed by Catalans coach Laurent Frayssinous.
It left Dragons looseforward Bird needing seven stitches in the back of his head, and Frayssinous said Singleton should have been dismissed.
The Rhinos frontrower has been handed a grade E charge which carries a ban of four to eight matches if he is found guilty. Bird stayed on the field for a while but subsequently broke a thumb which will rule him out for up to six weeks.
England are set to face a familiar foe in this year’s World Cup with former coach Steve McNamara confirmed as an assistant for New Zealand. The ex-Great Britain star was replaced as England coach by Wayne Bennett in 2016.