Advertisement

Reports in Wales linking Shaun Edwards to Ireland head coach job

The Englishman has won 11 trophies in 12 years with Wasps and Wales.

THE NEWS HAS come out of left-field in Wales that Shaun Edwards is in the running to be the next Ireland rugby coach.

Wales online, and the Western Mail, are reporting that Edwards, currently signed up as Wales’ defence coach until the 2015 World Cup, is being considered by the IRFU for the role recently vacated by Declan Kidney.

The 46-year-old former rugby league star has an impressive coaching CV, as defence, backs and head coach, that includes two Heineken Cups, three Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams.

Edwards has enjoyed a productive working relationship with Warren Gatland for a decade but the Kiwi has chosen England’s Andy Farrell as defence coach for the Lions tour to Australia.

Credit: Western Mail [h/t Aaron McAllorum]

Edwards [46] was part of the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa and admitted that his resolve had been ‘tested’ at his non-inclusion with the coaching set-up this time around.

He said, “Hearing that I was not going to be part of the set-up in Australia made me want to chuck the whole lot in.

“There were ideas of turning my back on union, going back to league, possibly even leaving the country to re-learn my trade as an assistant coach.”

Speaking to TheScore.ie yesterday, Leinster scrum coach Greg Feek said the province ‘was chuffed’ that head coach Joe Schmidt was also linked with the Ireland job.

Leinster steel themselves for heavy-hitting Munster duo, Downey and Laulala

Aussie fans vote unanimously for O’Driscoll as Lions captain elect

Close
12 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus O'Connor
    Favourite Seamus O'Connor
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 2:58 PM

    there have certainly been worse suggestions than this one, that being said I would still much rather have Joe Schmidt as I suspect would the IRFU

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Lynch
    Favourite Eoin Lynch
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 2:07 PM

    The more ya consider it the more it make sense to go for someone like Edwards. Wouldn’t have for a minute before this suggested he was in contention but you can’t argue with the logic of appointing someone of his calibre

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute macca
    Favourite macca
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 2:16 PM

    It would be a risk

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CaliforniaWeed
    Favourite CaliforniaWeed
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 5:08 PM

    All appointments are a risk.

    20
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute macca
    Favourite macca
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 6:02 PM

    Some alot more then others!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute macca
    Favourite macca
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 2:03 PM

    Wow! That had shocked me

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CaliforniaWeed
    Favourite CaliforniaWeed
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 5:07 PM

    Evidence of him not being a ‘great analyst or thinker or strategist’, please, seeing as it is ‘well known.’
    What reputable players and coaches have said this?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Themanwithnoplan2012
    Favourite Themanwithnoplan2012
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 9:51 PM

    nothing to do with rugby but edwards is the bulb off the unfunny guy on mock the week.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute D.A. Molony
    Favourite D.A. Molony
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 4:40 PM

    This will not happen. Edwards well known for being a motivator but not a great analyst or thinker or strategist. This is absolute gutter journalism and there is no way it is true.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Moran
    Favourite Brendan Moran
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 10:33 PM

    Shaun Edwards with Dean Ryan would be some combination – will never happen.
    Dean Ryan did incredible job with Scotland this year.
    If you showed anyone 79 of the 80 minutes of Scot v Ire – Ire would have won by 50 points.
    That’s the difference with real class.
    Dean Ryan is a class act.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie O Sullivan
    Favourite Jamie O Sullivan
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 6:07 PM

    I hope not

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute macca
    Favourite macca
    Report
    Apr 9th 2013, 2:05 PM

    Where’s my comment?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.