Wales' new number 10 gets Dan Biggar's seal of approval and 'can handle the pressure'
New Wales outside-half Dan Edwards has been backed to handle the pressure of the fabled number 10 shirt and the inevitable criticism which will come his way at some point. The youngster has also been given Wales legend Dan Biggar's personal seal of approval.
Historically, Wales' outside-half has arguably been the most scrutinised role in world rugby. Not even the legendary Phil Bennett could escape criticism, while top-end playmakers like Neil Jenkins, Stephen Jones and Biggar were put through the wringer by a demanding Welsh public at certain points of their careers.
Over the next few months Edwards will almost certainly win his first cap for Wales after getting included in Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad, and Ospreys head coach Mark Jones is adamant he can cope with the pressure. "In a one word answer, yes, he's definitely got the mentality," said Jones.
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"He's very humble but he's also very very stubborn around his mindset. He knows what he wants and he will back what he thinks is right.
"If he gets criticism he will just stick to his process and if he is doing the work he'll trust himself which is so important. You've got to know your own path as a player because you will get people giving you advice from coaching staff to press to fellow players, but he'll know what's right for the team.
"I'm confident in that and that's one of the reasons he's played so well for us because he leads other people and he leads himself. I don't think I can remember an outside-half who has played for Wales since I remember watching Wales who hasn't been criticised at some point and sometimes really harshly because of the team's performance or their own performance.
"So, it's coming and he knows it. He'll deal with it in his own way."
Edwards has been in scintillating form for the Ospreys over the past 18 months but the step up to international rugby is a steep one. Many a talented player has shone at club level only to find the pressure too much on the international circuit.
Talent is one thing but managing a Test match as an outside-half in front of 70,000 people is another thing. But everything points to Edwards successfully making the step up.
Indeed, former Wales number 10 Biggar likes what he sees. "You look at the 10 position, you’ve got two 10s in the squad, one has got no caps (Edwards). I actually like his attitude, I think he’s got a real bit of drive about him, drives his team, he’s got that little bit of the mindset. I think he will be good," he said.
Jones confirms those thoughts, adding: "He's a very honest and clear communicator. He works out what the plan is with the coaches and once he's clear he drives that very clearly to his teammates of what the expectation is.
"He speaks to people in the right way, he encourages people, he tells people straight if they are not where they need to be or the expectation and the effort isn't right or they are not into position quick enough.
"But he doesn't berate people but he doesn't mince his words either. He's just clear and a really good communicator.
"As somebody who will be playing with a player like that, that's all you can ask for is clarity. He wants to learn and he's incredibly competitive.
"He's not a big guy but he's pretty keen to get stuck in both sides of the ball. I think he'd go well if given an opportunity but obviously he's going to have to earn his stripes.
"He's going to have to train hard and impress the coaches up there. When he gets the opportunity he's going to have to take it.
"Sometimes getting picked is the easy bit. It's the delivering on the expectation and delivering on the pressure on your regional performances to do that at international level.
"It is a step up but I'm pretty confident if the team around him functions well and they play the right game for him he can excel within the right game plan for sure."
