Edwards pays tribute before League return

RUGBY UNION: Shaun Edwards (right) has paid tribute to his coaching mentors Warren Gatland and Sir Ian McGeechan as he prepares to return to rugby league with Wigan Warriors.

Edwards, 51, is to become Wigan’s head coach after next year’s rugby union World Cup in Japan. He has been Wales’ defence coach since 2008, enjoying success alongside Gatland. ‘Warren Gatland has been the biggest influence on my career,’ Edwards said, ‘but Ian McGeechan was very good with man-management.

‘He came to Wasps and realised we had a winning structure that was working smoothly. He simply stood back, watched how we worked, learned from us, and added some pearls of knowledge.

‘I thought to myself, “that’s a proper coach”.’