The ‘only’ communicator Dallaglio insists England must recruit

Ex-England backrower Lawrence Dallaglio has called on RFU to lure Shaun Edwards from France and work with him in his home country. The defensive specialist has earned a fantastic reputation over the years, from a strong career as a Wigan Rugby League player to coaching Wasps and Wales on many trophies.

Edwards is now on top to help France win the 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam with a victory over England on Saturday night. It would be a first clean cut in the tournament for the French since 2010 if they manage to do business and Dallaglio, in advance of the game, reminded the RFU that Edwards is English and will one day have to leave his country create. rather than rival nations.

Writing in his last night standard column about Edwards, who is under contract with France until the 2023 World Cup, Dallaglio said: “France clearly has a good mix of coaching staff that includes the wonderful defensive coach Shaun Edwards. I know him from his Time at Wasps, and can confidently claim that he is a very special man and coach.

“He has won trophies wherever he has been, including Wigan in the Rugby League, and Wasps in Wales in the Rugby Union. I suspect he is in the process of adding a title with France as well. That is when there is room in his trophy cabinet. he has won more than 50 titles as a player and coach across the codes.

“He has given France a hard edge and has a unique way of communicating – a perfect balance of head and heart – with players who automatically respect him and love him for his achievements. At some point, I would like the RFU to remember that he is actually English and he trains our national team, instead of all their close rivals one after the other.

Australian Anthony Seibold, a coach recruited by the NRL, is the current England defensive coach appointed last September by Eddie Jones after John Mitchell decided to move on to Wasps, despite contracting to the 2023 World Cup in France.

England have conceded nine attempts in the six nations this year, with Wales (seven), France (six) and Ireland (three) going better. Their concession of 71 points in four matches is also only third-best in the last match in Paris, France conceding 60 and Ireland 58.