There’s a bit more intent with Shaun here – Davis
OSPREYS defence coach Brad Davis has given a revealing insight into how things are working with Shaun Edwards at the region this season.
The Wales defence guru will work with the Ospreys at their Llandarcy training base one day per week this season on a consultancy basis.
It’s a similar move that saw him work with Richard Hodges at the Cardiff Blues last season, when he made a noticeable impact as the region lifted the European Challenge Cup.
These types of moves are not uncommon in Welsh rugby – national skills coach Neil Jenkins is available to players, particularly kickers, on a one-to-one basis – and Davis has revealed exactly how it works.
“Generally, we speak before the session, maybe the night before,” said the Aussie.
“Then in the morning we’ll have a look at the detailed plan for the day and we chat through what we want to achieve.
“I take certain parts of the training session and Shaun will lead in other aspects and we support each other.
“It’s a pretty relaxed sort of arrangement. A lot of it is areas of the game we feel we can improve on. It’s worked really seamlessly so far and I expect that to continue.
“I think us having similar backgrounds in terms of our rugby league background – we see the game the same way.
“Our groundwork has improved this year and that’s another element of our defence that Shaun is really good at focussing on, I do a lot more on our tackle technique and our work above the ground.
“It’s about us as a defensive unit being very difficult to break down in all areas of the game.”
From the outside looking in, the obvious fear is that the incumbent may feel slightly uncomfortable with a consultant being brought in to advise on their department.
But on the contrary, Davis, who offers a wealth of experience himself, is enjoying the opportunity to learn a thing or two.
“He’s a world-class defence coach,” said Davis. “I been coaching and Premiership and PRO14 level for the last 12 seasons, so I’ve got a certain amount of experience.
“But when you’re able to tap into the mind of an international, British and Irish Lions defence coach and watch him go to work, even if it is only for one day a week, you’re always picking up things and learning.
“We’ve dovetailed well together as coaches, we chat on the phone two or three times a week about the game and I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Edwards’ arrival on the scene hasn’t signalled mass changes in the defence structures in place at the Ospreys, though Davis concedes there were areas that needed addressing.
But what Edwards, who is known to be a high-octane operator, has brought to the environment is an intensity that has seen the linespeed ramp up a few notches.
The theory being that the less time opposition decision-makers have on the ball, the worse decisions they make.
“There hasn’t been a change of principle or change of philosophy,” explained Davis. “There has been a little bit more intent about what we do, we’re doing things a bit faster.
“I think one criticism of us from last year is that we didn’t have enough speed off the line. If you look at the way Shaun has set up defences in the past, there’s been a lot of linespeed.
“What we’ve tried to do is probably meet in the middle. We’re on the same page on a lot of things.
“Our defensive structures and principles haven’t changed whatsoever, we’re just doing things a lot faster. Shaun definitely brings that intensity to the work he does.”
Davis also revealed how close he came to becoming Edwards’ rival on the international scene this year.
He was linked with the vacant defence coach position on Eddie Jones’ England staff following the departure of Paul Gustard and he’s explained exactly how that situation unfolded.
“That was a possibility,” he revealed. “I was shortlisted for the role and I was spoken to about it briefly but as it panned out, I’m committed to the Ospreys and the contract.
“At some stage in every coaches career, you’ll want to test yourself at international level and I’m no different.”