Sir Gareth simply the best – Sir Clive

WORLD Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has named Gareth Edwards as the greatest rugby player he’s ever lined up against despite never encountering the Lions legend in an England v Wales international.

When Woodward made his Five Nations bow against Ireland in 1980, Edwards was already spending the second year in international retirement having called time on his stellar Test career with his 53rd Welsh cap in their Grand Slam sealing win over France.

But in a question and answers session with the Daily Mail, former England centre Woodward had no hesitation in naming the Welshman as the greatest player he’s encountered on the pitch.

He said: “The greatest talent I played against was Gareth Edwards. He was in his last season and I was in my first.

“His talent was undiminished and he had a great aura. His banter with his old Lions mate Bob Hiller was also priceless. As a coach, it is Jason Robinson.

“He was a sponge and soaked up every single rugby union skill. By the end he was probably the best kicker out of hand we had, he laid the ball back at rucks perfectly and his tackle technique was perfect. What a player.”

The Q&A was generally lighthearted, but Woodward was serious when asked if the contract extension given to Eddie Jones last week taking the outspoken Australian up to the 2023 World Cup was a formality.

The former coach who masterminded English rugby’s greatest day in 2003 when lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy was adamant Jones should have been put through an interview process and suggested Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter and All Blacks legend Richie McCaw should have also.

He added: “I had been Eddie’s biggest fan since his appointment, but in the week of the World Cup final, I saw a side of England – and Eddie – I did not like.

“Unnecessary disruptions with a lack of leadership and professionalism, and little understanding of what winning finals is about.

“England were off the pace mentally and physically. This was magnified by Eddie picking the wrong team. It was a mess and England were shockingly poor against South Africa. Ten weeks later, they were poor against France after another chaotic week of preparation.

“The job should have gone out for interview. Richie McCaw and Rob Baxter needed to come into the equation and, at one stage, Rassie Erasmus seemed he might have been tempted away from South Africa. Others might have put themselves forward.”