Shaun Edwards makes his feelings clear on Wales and the job he would 'swim for'
France defence coach Shaun Edwards says you can never underestimate Wales as he claimed he would "swim" to Australia to take up a job with the British and Irish Lions.
Wales' former defence guru will go up against Warren Gatland's side on Friday, as France host Wales in the opening fixture of the 2025 Six Nations in Paris.
With Wales on the back of a record 12-Test losing run, France are easily the favourites on Friday night. But Edwards, who has previously admitted he would be up for coaching Wales again in the future after spending over a decade with them previously, knows only too well that you can't write them off.
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“My great pal, Clive Griffiths, who was the 2005 Welsh defence coach, helped me so much when I first came into rugby union. He would always say to me, ‘When Wales have got a full team out, they’re a match for anybody,’” Edwards told the Times.
“Never, never, ever underestimate the Wales team, particularly in the Six Nations. I always remember when we beat England in my first game for Wales [in 2008], we went into a restaurant on the Monday as we were preparing for the Scotland game and the whole of the restaurant got up and started to applaud us.
“It was like at Wigan when we won the Challenge Cup so many times. It just shows that all the support is behind you.”
Having suffered a World Cup hangover in last year's Six Nations, Edwards will be targeting success in this year's tournament with France as he bids for a sixth championship as a coach.
Previously, Edwards has credited the Six Nations as the tournament he judges himself on "because it's the only time you're competing against teams who have exactly the same preparation".
Beyond adding to his vast medal collection, another Six Nations crown wouldn't do his chances of coaching the Lions in Australia any harm either.
His former Great Britain rugby league team-mate Andy Farrell is in charge of the tourists and Edwards, who was defence coach for the Lions on the 2009 tour of South Africa, is keen to be part of the coaching staff for the upcoming tour.
“I’d swim it to Australia if Faz gives me a shout,” he added. “I know that if you’re in good form, then you have a chance. That probably means winning the Six Nations.”
