Edwards not part of Lions coaching set-up?

Can't find anything about this, but just read this article in the guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/dec/10/warren-gatland-shaun-edwards-lions

Apparently Gatland is set to name Farrell, Rowntree and Howley as his assistants for the Lions tour to Australia in 2013, omitting Shaun Edwards in the process. To quote Paul Rees "There was a feeling that Edwards and Farrell, who know each other from their rugby league days with Wigan, filled similar roles and that a specialist attack coach was needed."

Thoughts on this?

Rowntree was always going to get the nod, given how well he's worked with the England pack (England are noticeably more competitive at the breakdown for instance since he took over the Forwards role), and how highly he seems to be rated. Farrell was expected too, though not sure why, given England's backline have hardly been phenomenal recently. Howley? Doesn't seem to be doing a great job with Wales at the moment, but he does work better when he's not the main man maybe. Does this mean Howley will be defense coach?

For the defense role it was evidently Edwards vs Farrell.

Andy Farrell is defence coach of England.

Mike Catt is the backs/attack coach of England.

Howley is the backs/attack coach of Wales and will be of the Lions.

Basically the coaching squad is

Gatland - head coach

Forwards - Rowntree

Backs/Attack - Howley

Defence - Farrell

Edwards to take over Wales this summer then

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Edwards to take over Wales this summer then

Yh just pity he can't take over for the 6 Nations.

Also as a huge Lions fan (trip booked) I wish Catt was going instead of Howley

Glad to see Howley go so he can prove again he has no idea as an attack coach and a poor man manager i.e., it is not his fault they lost attitude.

Also as a huge Lions fan (trip booked) I wish Catt was going instead of Howley

I can't help but think he's trading off his name as a player. I've not seen much brilliant innovation during his time coaching either LI or England.

Some of the coverage I've seen almost hints at a rift between Gatland and Edwards, referring to this decision as a "shock" and a "great disappointment" for Edwards.

Call me an innocent fool, but I really hoped rugby journalists might lay off turning every new development in the upcoming Lions story as a drama with deep personal consequences for all concerned.

I think its a good thing... for Wales.

I also think this has been planned by both of them, for Edwards to lead Wales in their Summer tour and take over as Head Coach when Gatland quits or leaves after 2015 (if he makes it that far).

Maybe it is to do with Gatland wanting to at some time be coaching the All Blacks. That he realises that this may be his last chance to achive a great thing in being, the one coach that as taken a Lions team to Australia and won the tour.

Although he (Edwards) and Gatland have been together since Gatland took charge of Wales. And although they have won a couple of Grand Slams, they have not been able to break into the top four teams in the IRB rugby world cup rankings.

They have lost their last 5/6/7 games or how many it is. They have dropped out of the top 8 in the rugby world rankings. So he has decided that a change in his coaching staff may just pay off in Australia.;

majesticimperialman wrote:Maybe it is to do with Gatland wanting to at some time be coaching the All Blacks. That he realises that this may be his last chance to achive a great thing in being, the one coach that as taken a Lions team to Australia and won the tour.

Although he (Edwards) and Gatland have been together since Gatland took charge of Wales. And although they have won a couple of Grand Slams, they have not been able to break into the top four teams in the IRB rugby world cup rankings.

They have lost their last 5/6/7 games or how many it is. They have dropped out of the top 8 in the rugby world rankings. So he has decided that a change in his coaching staff may just pay off in Australia.;

Glad you have finally taken note of what I have been telling you (in your first paragraph). It also should alleviate your worries and stop you from constantly mentioning how he will pick a lot of Welsh players, now he has chosen Farrell over Edwards (his trusty right hand man).

I don't know why you keep mentioning the 7 defeats and relating them to Gatland, as I keep telling you that you can only definitely attribute our last two tests to him (as the rest were under Howley). Good on you for finally getting the G in rankings though.

With regards to your last sentence, how do you know for definite what he has decided to do (as your sentence suggests)? If you know him that well, you can ask him what he is doing right now and answer your post from yesterday.

Ehhhh Risca.

Are you a teacher by any chance?

No Madge, I'm not a teacher. I'm just somebody willing to help you out a bit.

McBryde is leading the Wales summer tour with his vast experience of coaching at all levels of rugby, we have all seen how well Wales have performed at the line out under his guidance. I suspose against Japan Wales may win some line out ball provided it is thrown straight.

I can see why Gatland chose Farrell over Edwards. But have a hard time understanding what Howley is doing there if he's serious about winning. I would've thought taking someone like O'Shea or Schmidt would be better choices. Maybe their club commitments prevent them from going but Howley is a howler in terms of getting attack out of a team. I think Edwards would feel easier with the decision if Howley was axed as well. Do you really have to take him as a Lions attack coach instead of the simpler solution of firing him from the Welsh coaching team?

I read a paper headline over someones shoulder this morning n which Gatland was quoted as saying beating Australia was easier to do than dropping Edwards.

Does this suggest that hes been trying to get rid of him for the last 4 years now. and desperately hard over the last year?

Strange call in my opinion as I rate Edwards as the best defence coach in rugby (big call I know but can't think of any better in the last 10 years).

That said coaches like players should be picked on 'form' you could say and Wales are struggling whilst England's defence under Farrell has been impressive.

On the Howley issue I'd have loved to have seen an outside bet like Michael Cheika, Brian Ashton or even someone like John Kirwan given the attack/backs coach role. Would bring a bit of thought process from outside the Wales/England staff in and maybe freshen things up. I'm really just pondering out loud there though!

Jake White would have been the perfect attack coach. But would Gatland allow that as it'd detract from his own agenda of becoming noticed in NZ. People would just say Jake White won it for the Lions... and people can be quite perceptive sometimes.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Jake White would have been the perfect attack coach. But would Gatland allow that as it'd detract from his own agenda of becoming noticed in NZ. People would just say Jake White won it for the Lions... and people can be quite perceptive sometimes.

Ditto Schmidt.

Gatland's overweening ego and thinly-veiled NZ ambition is going to get in the way of this tour. The Lions may well end up winning despite him.