EDWARDS LEAPS TO THE DEFENCE OF HIS RECORD

SHAUN EDWARDS launched a passionate defence of his coaching record yesterday, saying he is still the master as he prepares to take on his apprentice. Ahead of Wales’s NatWest Six Nations match against Ireland tomorrow, it was suggested to defence coach Edwards that his opposite number Andy Farrell had transformed the Irish side. ‘Andy Farrell was an outstanding player,’ said 51-year-old Edwards, ‘and he has turned himself into an outstanding coach. ‘But I stick my record up against anybody in world rugby. The only person who has won more trophies than me is (former All Blacks coach) Wayne Smith and he is an absolute legend.’ For Ireland, rookie tighthead Andrew Porter is set for a baptism of fire. The 22year-old has been given his first Six Nations start in place of injured Tadhg Furlong.

IRELAND: Kearney; Earls, Farrell, Aki, Stockdale; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (capt), Porter; Toner, James Ryan; O’Mahony, Stander, Leavy. ITALY take on France tonight in Marseille’s Stade Velodrome with both sides looking to break their Six Nations duck. The visitors’ skipper Sergio Parisse plays in the French league and Italy head coach Conor O’Shea is predicting an immense performance. ‘Sergio is always a consistent performer but this is the kind of game where he is likely to be the player to put his head above the parapet,’ said O’Shea. ‘We are expecting an incredible atmosphere.’