The 'unique' communicator Dallaglio insists England must recruit

Ex-England back-rower Lawrence Dallaglio has called on the RFU to lure Shaun Edwards away from France and get him working with his native country. The defence specialist has carved out a fabulous reputation for himself over the years, switching from a star-studded career as a Wigan rugby league player to coaching Wasps and Wales to numerous trophies. 

Edwards now stands on the cusp of helping France to clinch the 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam with a win over England on Saturday night. It would be a first clean sweep in the tournament for the French since 2010 if they manage to do the business and Dallaglio, in advance of the game, has issued a reminder to the RFU that Edwards is English and must one day work for his country rather than rival nations.   

Writing in his latest Evening Standard column about Edwards, who is contracted with France until World Cup 2023, Dallaglio said: “France clearly have a good blend of coaching staff, which includes the magnificent defence coach Shaun Edwards. I know him from his time at Wasps, and can confidently assert that he is a very special man and coach.

“He has won trophies wherever he has been, with Wigan in rugby league, and Wasps and Wales in rugby union. I suspect that he is about to add a title with France, too. That is if there’s space 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 and like him for his achievements. At some stage, I would like the RFU to remember that he is in fact English and get him coaching our national team, rather than all their close rivals one by one.”

Australian Anthony Seibold, a coach recruited from the NRL, is the current England defence coach having been appointed last September by Eddie Jones after John Mitchell opted to move on to Wasps despite being contracted through to the 2023 World Cup in France. 

England have conceded nine tries in this year’s Six Nations, with Wales (seven), France (six) and Ireland (three) faring better. Their concession of 71 points in four matches is also only third-best heading into their final match in Paris, France conceding 60 and Ireland 58.