Shaun Edwards - Where will he end up? The Blues?

[TRF_Cymro]

He (Ellis) has come out and said he would be interested since his contract ran out in France. Over the time he has been in France, the French have been for the most part the team to beat in the NH. Shaun Edwards has had mixed results with Wasps/Lions/Wales and as I have said in another article do question how good he is. Wales have had some dire results while he was been in place and think the relative success at the WC (wales did lose 3 games) has overblown his credentials.

:lol:

Edwards inherited a team that was a defensive shambles. Might have lost 3 ... but not by conceding tries or losing to Tonga.

Oh and with the dire results ... can't really make the excuse for the French who have also had dire results in time that Ellis has been in charge, so your argument does not really add up.

 

[McTallshort]

Look lets agree to disagree, Edwards is a good defense coach but he isnt the best out there and people are overating him about after a decent world cup. Funny how Mike Ford didnt get the same response when his defensive game plan got England to a World cup final in 2007.....

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Look lets agree to disagree, Edwards is a good defense coach but he isnt the best out there and people are overating him about after a decent world cup. Funny how Mike Ford didnt get the same response when his defensive game plan got England to a World cup final in 2007.....

Overrated how?

 

[Teh Mite]

Edwards has been over-rated ever since the world realised the Blitz is simple to beat by speeding up the backs and Edwards never developed a plan B.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

You mean people chip over the top and a team like Wales have a man sweeping like they did during the WC?

 

[Teh Mite]

The smart teams pull them left and right to force a dog-leg or a forward to be the "blitz" player. Takes about 3-4 phases but always works. Hense why Wasps have spectacularly fallen from grace.

 

[McTallshort]

Overrated how?

He is being seen as the must have defense coach and its with great relief amongst wales fans that he is back in the fold but Wales have not been all that since the grand slam of 2008 and nither have Wasps. I just dont think its such a loss not getting his services for England.

 

[Draggs]

The smart teams pull them left and right to force a dog-leg or a forward to be the "blitz" player. Takes about 3-4 phases but always works. Hense why Wasps have spectacularly fallen from grace.

Yep, blitz can be very vulnerable through midfield. Shanklin and Henson managed to pull it off extremely well, while I think Henson/Roberts will be able to cover.
Jonathan Davies' defence is already pretty poor, I am honestly surprised no team has tried to target him. He often advances too quickly or is in the wrong position and can leave a gap where a winger brought infield would expose.

 

[dullonien]

He is being seen as the must have defense coach and its with great relief amongst wales fans that he is back in the fold but Wales have not been all that since the grand slam of 2008 and nither have Wasps. I just dont think its such a loss not getting his services for England.

You aren't making much sense tbh. Wales' results haven't been great for the last few years, but that was mainly down to a lack of penetration in the backs and silly errors (yellow cards, intercept passes etc.). Wales' defense has generally been excellent for the entire time Edwards has been involved with the Welsh coaching setup. It was spectacular during the '08 grand slam, and excellent during the WC. As for his involvement with Wasps, they've gone downhill because the quality of their squad has nosedived, simple as that.

I don't see Edwards as a great head-coach, but he's an excellent defensive coach, and should be rightly seen as one of the best going at the moment. He and Gatland's partnership is also important.

 

[McTallshort]

Well you have him now for another 4 years so I hope it works out for you