Edwards looking to create history

SHAUN Edwards returns to his happiest hunting ground this week closing in on an all-time Grand Slam record but adamant that Wales pose ‘a huge challenge’.

Wales in Cardiff on Friday night will attempt to ambush the imperious French march towards a first Six Nations clean sweep for 12 years.

Two more victories will elevate their favourite Englishman to a unique status, making him the first coach to win Grand Slams with two countries.

Edwards, a triple Slammer during his 11 years with Wales, dismisses any question of current form pointing towards France superseding their hosts as champions.

“The current champions are always the team to beat and the fact that we’re playing them in their own backyard is a huge challenge for us,’’ he said. “They put up a strong performance against England.

“To go to Twickenham and score three tries as Wales did last week takes some doing. Cardiff is a very special stage, we’re going there with an underdog mentality.’’

Edwards joined Fabien Galthie’s coaching command after RWC2019. The WRU offered to renew his contract but only with the guarantee of a further two years.

“I wanted a four-year contract because I have two daughters who rely on their father providing for them,’’ he says. “I went to France because a four-year deal is a four-year deal.

Edwards wants to create history

“Wales was a two-year deal but let bygones be bygones. I don’t want any bitterness. As coaches, we all need to repay the faith Bernard Laporte (French Rugby President) has placed in us.’’

Edwards’ appointment has coincided with a huge improvement not just in France’s defensive power but their discipline, as underlined by the absence of a single yellow card. He has also learnt to speak to their players in their own language.

“It was bloody difficult but I had to learn French out of respect for the language and the French people,’’ he says. “I had to be able to do my presentations to the players in French.

“I spent a lot of time driving along in the car listening to French language CDs instead of music. I’d like to think the French players appreciate that I made the effort.’’

No coach has won Grand Slams with more than one country. After three with Wales, Edwards will be on the verge of a first with France, provided they keep winning in Cardiff.

“That gives me added motivation,’’ says the 55-year-old from Wigan. “To create history in the oldest international rugby competition would be an honour.’’