SHAUN EDWARDS’

decision to become France’s defence coach, after the World Cup, is a major coup for Bernard Laporte. The president of the French federation is often regarded as a comic figure, but he won his country the hosting rights for the 2023 World Cup and he is putting together a strong management team to prepare for the event. Edwards will transform France. Some lazy players will not know what has hit them. While France are being organised for a change, the same cannot be said of the RFU. Head of international player development Dean ryan has been building a power base at Twickenham but now he is reportedly set to take charge of the Dragons. Laporte is making headway while his cross-Channel rivals are going around in circles.