England should have got Edwards – Dallaglio

ENGLAND World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio described it the biggest mistake of Rob Andrew’s reign at the RFU, writes Anthony Woolford.

Now former internationals and England fans are wondering how Shaun Edwards has been allowed to skip through their grasp after a coaching masterclass from the serial Welsh winner on his Six Nations bow with France on Sunday.

Warren Gatland’s right hand man in defence during 12 golden years of Welsh rugby was hailed a ‘miracle worker’ by English fans after helping plot the downfall of the 2019 World Cup finalists at the Stade de France with a typical Edwards-themed defensive masterclass.

Eddie Jones’ England were ‘nilled’ in the first period – the first time that has happened in a Five/Six Nations match since 1988.

And in rattling up 17 unanswered points, Fabien Galthie’s France enjoyed their biggest half-time lead over England since 2004.

Their 24-17 victory over the Six Nations favourites merely made England fans question how Edwards has been allowed to move across the Channel working with Les Bleus instead of being signed up by England after leaving the Welsh set-up following the World Cup.

England legend Dallaglio, who played under Edwards at Wasps, believes the RFU made a huge mistake letting the former Rugby League great go to Wales in the first place back in 2008.

The Welsh defence was the fulcrum behind Wales’ success under Gatland that brought in three Six Nations Grand slams, four titles, two World Cup semifinals and a first ever appearance at No.1 in the global rugby rankings.

Edwards was reported to be on Eddie Jones’ England shortlist when Paul Gustard left the Red Rose coaching team in the summer to become head man at Harlequins.

But the job eventually went to former All Blacks boss John Mitchell.

And Dallaglio admits England are the poorer for not having defensive experts Andy Farrell and Edwards on their coaching staff in recent seasons.

He wrote in The Times last year: “Letting Wales snap up Shaun Edwards in 2008 was one of the biggest mistakes of Rob Andrew’s time at the RFU.

“Edwards and Farrell have been serial winners as players and coaches.

“Their rightful place should be in England.”