The bookies may be backing Shaun Edwards to leave his post as Wales defence coach, but Rob Howley has no doubts over his colleague’s commitment to his adopted country.
Speculation has been rife that Edwards, on the Warren Gatland coaching ticket in Wales since 2008, is about to jump ship to either World Cup rivals England or his former rugby league club Wigan after changes in their coaching regimes.
But four days before Wales head to Washington to launch their summer tour against the Springboks, before heading south to Argentina to face the Pumas twice, attack coach Howley insisted there were no questions in the camp about Edwards’ loyalty.
“All coaches will be linked with roles – it is a watershed when it comes to the World Cup, and that’s only natural,” said Howley.
“It has probably been accelerated this time because of the jobs that have become available. Whatever Shaun has said, and whatever the rumours are, it is up to Shaun.
“Whatever goes on outside our four walls the players and coaches will simply focus on the job in hand. The job is to go away and win three games on tour.
“You only had to watch Shaun in training this morning to know he is fully committed in terms of his diligence, his coaching and his desire to get the best out of the players. I’ve seen no change in his body language.”
The departure of Paul Gustard from the England coaching set-up this week has left as EddieJones looking for a defence coach 14 months out from the World Cup in Japan. Meanwhile, Wigan’s head coach Shaun Wane is leaving after six years in charge and they are hunting a suitable replacement.
Edwards ended his record breaking rugby league career in 2000 when he retired at London Broncos. He had previously played for 14 years in a Wigan jersey, winning nine Challenge Cups, eight Championships and three World Club Challenges.
In 2001, he joined Wasps and helped guide them to English and European domination alongside Gatland. He joined forces once again with Gatland when the Kiwi took over as Wales head coach in 2008 and together they guided Wales to the Grand Slam in their first tournament, conceding only two tries in five matches.
Since then Wales picked up a second Grand Slam in 2012, a third Six Nations title a year later and finished as runners-up to Ireland this season. Edwards also joined Gatland and Howley on the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
Meanwhile, Howley is hoping the Scarlets will repeat the success the Cardiff Blues had in their recent European Challenge Cup final in Bilbao when they defend their Guinness PRO14 crown in Dublin against the double-chasing Leinster. As well as taking a battle-hardened squad on tour on Sunday, the Wales backs coach is hoping it will be a triumphant one as well.
But once everyone boards the plane for Washington on Sunday, the clock will be well and truly counting down to the World Cup in Japan next year. The three tests over the next three weeks could be a proving ground for a number of the newcomers to the squad.
“The journey that we are on is a two year journey. Warren planned it out 18 months or so ago and 41 players have played under us in that period of time. Anyone else who wants to come into contention is going to have to put in some good performances,” said Howley.
“Warren spoke to the players yesterday about that and newcomers like Aaron Wainwright heard from him that they are in contention for the World Cup next year. You don’t need any extra motivation than that.
“They all know there is a great opportunity ahead of them in the next three weeks. We want three wins, that’s the ultimate goal for the players and coaches.
“The Jaguars are playing particularly well in Super Rugby and the 31 players the Pumas have picked have all been together in Australia and New Zealand. They’ve been on tour for the past six or seven weeks and that will give them belief and self-confidence.
“That’s why it is so good to have a game against South Africa before we go to Argentina. It certainly helped us having a game in 2016 against England before we went to New Zealand, it gave us a good platform.”