Shaun Edwards ready for new challenge as France defence coach
Shaun Edwards hopes to assist France create a killer instinct in games when he takes over as defence trainer month.
Edwards 12-year stint as Wales coach came to an end after the Rugby World Cup and hes busy preparing for his new character.
France were knocked out of the World Cup at the quarter-final point Wales and by Edwards, the Most Recent in a line of defeats against the Six Nations champions.
But, Edwards was impressed by their performances in Japan and will be currently excited about working with all the players as they build in their Six Nations opener.
Talking to Will Greenwoods Podcast, Edwards said:France made a lot of progress at the last World Cup. Fabian went in with other members of staff and, lets be truthful, [Wales] were fortunate to conquer on them.
Unfortunately we didnt see them from England, that might have been a excellent test for these after being severely defeated by England [44-8] in the previous Six Nations.
We had a meeting a few weeks past. My principal message to the coaches is that we need to begin winning these tight matches.
Most games at elite level game are one-score games. Wales lost by three points in the semi-finals of this World Cup.
France need to get the capacity to acquire these one-score games. The last six occasions Wales have performed France it has been one score either way.
After assisting Wales win a Six Nations Grand Slam edwards held talks with France this year.
Wales conceded 65 points and seven tries during the tournament, which was to France who shipped 15 attempts and 118 points.
The French lads play with a great deal of fire but thats insufficient at any level today, explained Edwards.
We must acquire structures in place. I am certain they had structure annually but they appeared to reduce it at times, especially against England.
I can not expect to place all of the detail I had with Wales in right away as that would be overload. However, whats fantastic for me is they have been doing the same thing. He had been honest with me – he said he pretty much copied Wales defence. So it is not new to the players.
Edwards had been linked with a number such as a return to league along with his former team Wigan Warriors, but Frances deal was too good to deny.
France were the only international team who gave me a bonded four-and-a-half-year deal, and so I decided to move there, said Edwards, who has been studying houses in Perpignan where there is already a Wigan contingent – Sam and Joel Tomkins drama for Super League side Catalans Dragons.
There was discussion from other countries but some were just two-year deals. Id consistently signed Student deals with Wales.
Edwards will probably be reunited with Raphael Ibanez, who is the team supervisor of France and played under him, and confessed that his involvement was a factor.
Hes spent the last two weeks viewing French gamers. On paper, he says France can be a game for anyone. The undertaking is currently translating this .
Consistency, and consistency of both tactics and endurance, replied Edwards when asked about the biggest challenge facing France.
They have some big talented athletes who are quite skilful as well. My remit will be to deliver this professionalism and intensity.
Ive been a professional since 1983 and in that period Ive heard an awful lot about the game, things to do and not to do. Hopefully I can contribute.
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