Tonight's rugby news as Shaun Edwards' name thrown into Wales mix and major call-up not ruled out
These are your rugby headlines on the evening of Monday, February 17.
Bastareaud: Edwards 'checks all the boxes'
French legend Mathieu Bastareaud says former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards "checks all the boxes" as his former employers continue the search for Warren Gatland's successor.
The Kiwi walked away from his job with the Welsh Rugby Union last week after a disastrous run of results and a sorry start to this year's Six Nations, which has seen a heavy defeat to France and another painful loss to Italy.
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That result in Rome proved the final straw for Gatland, who decided to call it a day, with WRU CEO Abi Tierney quickly announcing the appointment of Cardiff Rugby boss Matt Sherratt as the new Wales head coach in the interim.
Names such as Franco Smith and Simon Easterby have been heavily touted as permanent successors to Gatland over the past week or so, but Bastareaud has another name in mind, that of current French defence coach Edwards.
"It's true that Shaun Edwards is often synonymous with defence, but above all, he is someone who has real expertise in rugby, and a deep understanding of the game," Bastareaud wrote in his Six Nations column.
"All the players I have been around and who knew him, whether at club or national level, only say good things about him. He is a strong character, with solid principles and convictions. And when you take on a team, I think it is essential to immediately impose high standards. Edwards clearly checks all the boxes.
"In addition, he is a confident candidate. I like people who are not afraid to say loud and clear: 'I am interested in this position, I think I have the qualities for it'. I’d rather deal with someone like Edwards, who’s up front about their ambition, rather than those who scheme behind the scenes, doing everything to get the job while acting indifferent in public. At least with Edwards, it's clear."
Bastareaud added that he was saddened by the state Welsh rugby now finds itself in, having faced Wales teams he was scared of in the past, and believes the decision to part company with Gatland should have been taken before the tournament kicked off.
"In my opinion, the real question is: shouldn't it have been done before?" he said. "Because in the end, if you want to attack the Championship with a new coaching staff, you might as well do it from the start, with new energy and a group that starts with a positive dynamic. Starting the competition dragging the weight of all these past defeats doesn't help anyone.
"However, it's always difficult to judge from the outside. But I still have the impression that it might have been more judicious to turn the page before the start of this year's Championship. That said, it doesn't take away from what Gatland brought to Wales. The ending is sad, yes, but the history between him and this nation remains magnificent."
Door left open for Lake
Wales have left open the possibility of Dewi Lake getting a Six Nations call-up as the hooker undergoes his recovery from injury with the national team.
The Ospreys man, who captained Wales in last year’s summer and autumn campaigns, had initially missed out on selection after undergoing bicep surgery in December.
The initial expectation was that he would be out for 12 weeks, but Ospreys head coach Mark Jones had always hinted that the 25-year-old could come back sooner.
And Lake has been working his way back to fitness with Wales in recent weeks, having been in camp last week when news broke of Warren Gatland’s departure as Wales head coach. He has since been pictured taking part in certain training sessions.
When asked if a call-up for Lake was likely, defence coach Mike Forshaw said: “That’s a medical issue.
“Dewi is working hard with the medics, and I am sure if Dewi gets fit there will be a conversation around him joining the squad. But at the moment, the players who are here are staying here at the moment.
“There will be conversations but that’s for the medics.”
Lake’s last appearance came in December against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup. Days after that, he picked up the injury in training - with Jones confirming later that he would need to go under the knife.
The news came as a blow for Gatland, who had relied upon the 18-cap hooker as a leader during a difficult 2024 when he failed to win a single Test match.
Evan Lloyd, Elliot Dee and Lake’s Ospreys team-mate Sam Parry are the hookers in Wales’ Six Nations squad. Parry was released back to his club last week to start in their URC clash with Leinster, but was forced to pull out through illness shortly before kick-off.
'It was a long road back'
Wales international Scott Williams says it has been a "long road for me to get back" following his debut for the Dragons at the weekend.
The centre made his mark off the bench for the Men of Gwent against Glasgow on Sunday, having been training with the club since the autumn of last year.
Williams, 34, has been seeing game-time for Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru, but finally getting back on the pitch at regional level has been a relief for the 58-times-capped man.
“I was just desperate to get out there, it's been a long road for me to get back out onto the field,” he told the Argus.
“Hopefully I can try to pass on my experience to some of the younger boys. There is a lot of good talent here and it’s a bit of a rebuild phase in Welsh rugby in general.”
Head coach Filo Tiatia was also pleased with the former Scarlets and Ospreys man. “He deserved a chance," Tiatia said. "Dai Flanagan [former head coach] brought him in when Steff Hughes left and he is staying in the programme because we need some experience.
“He was undercooked when he first came in but has worked really hard to get an opportunity and has played games for Pontypool.
“Scott had some nice moments when he came on and his first carry was dominant, getting us over the gain line.”
Dombrandt back for Scotland clash
By PA Sport Staff
Alex Dombrandt has been recalled to Steve Borthwick’s initial 36-man squad ahead of England’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The Harlequins number eight underlined his return to fitness on Sunday with an impressive try-scoring performance in his side’s narrow defeat to Saracens in the Premiership Cup.
Alex Coles and Henry Pollock are also added to the squad in the wake of last week’s win over France, while Curtis Langdon and Alex Lozowski are the ones to drop out.
Forwards Tom Curry and George Martin are both named in the squad having trained away from the main group after picking up minor injuries in the wake of the 26-25 win over France.
England head into the Calcutta Cup clash looking to keep alive their title hopes after bouncing back from their 27-22 round one defeat to reigning champions Ireland.
Gregor Townsend’s men, who have won the last four Calcutta Cup matches, will start in a similar position having fallen to defeat against the Irish following their opening win over Italy.
