SHAUN OF THE DREAD
As Edwards plotted England’s downfall AGAIN, the decision not to give this ‘amazing coach’ a Red Rose role is branded RIDICULOUS
ENGLAND limped home from France facing renewed criticism that Shaun Edwards had once again been in a position to spike their guns.
France’s storming victory over Eddie Jones’ side was built on a teaktough defence constructed by an English coach, who inexplicably has never had a look-in at Twickenham.
It left former England flyhalf Paul Grayson fuming. He said: “The fact Shaun has never been part of the conversation is ridiculous.
“He is probably the most successful English coach at club and international level, a guy who fundamentally changed rugby union, him and others, with his pioneering blitz defence.
“Yet England watched him sign for Wales, with whom he enjoyed massive success over 12 years while England constantly changed and failed, changed and failed.
“That he has never been part of the England picture I find extraordinary.”
If this feels like a case of deja vu it is because in 2008, when Edwards signed for Wales, Matt Dawson branded the decision to allow “possibly the best rugby coach in the world” to get away as an “absolute crime”.
The England World Cup winner added: “I’ve been fortunate enough to play under Shaun at Wasps and he is just an amazing, amazing coach.”
Twelve years on and England have paid a heavy price. In the same period that they won three Six Nations, Edwards helped Wales bag three Grand Slams and four titles – not to forget torpedoing England’s 2015 World Cup hopes by beating them in the pool stages at Twickenham.
And now this. In his first game with France, only weeks after crossing the Channel and beginning work with a set of players whose language he does not speak, Les Bleus were devastating.
England prop Joe Marler (near right) admitted: “I have to give credit to France and to Shaun Edwards, who has clearly done a brilliant job in a short time.
“I remember being at a dinner with him a few months back and he said he was going to go over there and stop the boys eating too many croissants and stop them smoking as much.
“Clearly he has done that. Their line speed was a lot more ferocious than what it has been in the past. They had hard lines coming at us, pressurising us, taking away our time and space.”
Flanker Sam Underhill agreed: “They went hard at the ball. I thought their defence was very good, especially in the contact area. They were pretty dominant at times.”
Grayson (above, right) is in no doubt that Edwards, 53, played a match-winning role from the sidelines at Stade de France.
“England helped France along the way,” he said. “But ultimately Shaun got them energised to defend in a certain way.
“The fact Edwards will now probably go on to do great things for France, while England wonder who to get in next, is just frustrating beyond belief.”