Jonathan Davies reflects on Shaun Edwards’ impact on Welsh rugby and the fallout from his departure
Cardiff: So, there’s been some chatter about Shaun Edwards and his exit from Welsh rugby. Jonathan Davies, a real legend in the game, and comedian Mike Bubbins shared their thoughts on a recent episode of BBC Scrum V’s The Warm Up.
They were chatting with presenter Lauren Jenkins, and Edwards’ departure came up. You might remember he left back in 2019 after not getting the four-year contract he wanted. The Welsh Rugby Union only offered him two years, which he turned down. Not long after, he joined the French team.
Davies, who’s often called ‘Foxy’, talked about how crucial Edwards was for the players. He mentioned how Edwards had this way of pushing players to be their best while genuinely caring about them. It was a mix of tough love, really.
When Jenkins asked if he was scared of Edwards, Davies laughed and said, “Oh yeah, first time.” He described how intimidating it could be when you’d see Edwards in the corridor. It sounds like he had a unique presence that made everyone a bit on edge.
Bubbins chimed in, saying every player he spoke to who played under Edwards thought highly of him. He felt that Wales should have done more to keep him around, especially since he was keen to stay. It’s clear there’s a lot of respect for Edwards among the players.
Davies even mentioned that he had told a previous Welsh coach to do everything possible to keep Edwards. He believed the investment would pay off in performance. It’s a shame it didn’t work out that way.
Edwards had initially planned to return to rugby league with Wigan Warriors after the 2019 World Cup. But then, in March 2019, he seemed open to staying in Wales. Unfortunately, negotiations fell through when the WRU wouldn’t budge on that four-year deal.
Wayne Pivac, the head coach at the time, made some comments about Edwards’ decision being based on personal choice and finances, which didn’t sit well with Edwards. He quickly set the record straight, expressing disappointment in Pivac’s remarks.
Edwards emphasized his loyalty to Wales and the success they had achieved together. He suggested that everyone should focus on their roles and the upcoming World Cup instead of getting caught up in the drama.
