Wales' Edwards joins London Irish coaching team
James Walker-Roberts • Published 9 May 2012 09:14
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WALES defence coach Shaun Edwards will join London Irish's coaching staff following the Grand Slam winners' summer tour to Australia.
Edwards will work alongside Brian Smith, who will be returning to a more hands on coaching role to run the team's attack.
The news comes just a day after Irish confirmed that Toby Booth, Neil Hatley and Justin Bishop will be leaving the club this summer.
Edwards is expected to be allowed to spend one day a week with Irish while continuing his role as Wales defence coach.
He joined Wales in 2008 following a succesful stint at London Wasps that saw them win the Premiership for three years running and the Heineken Cup twice.
He said: "I'm excited at the opportunity of being involved in an Aviva Premiership Club set up again. London Irish has some fantastic players who I am looking forward to working with.
"The squad has put in some great performances this season and have been unlucky not to come away with more wins. I want to work with the team to see how we can then turn those frustrating last minute defeats into victories."
Irish's Smith added: "Shaun is a world-class coach and he has been responsible for introducing a defensive system that has changed the shape of the modern game, consistently producing water tight defences in the Premiership, Six Nations, Lion's tours and Rugby World Cups.
"We will have a strategy in place for next season to slash the numbers of points we concede in the Aviva Premiership. If we can do that then, this time next year, we can be a top four team and two games away from silverware."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 09 May 12
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