Beppu (Japan) (AFP)

Welsh Defense Master Shaun Edwards has been announced for several months as one of the deputy coaches of the XV of France after the World Cup. But before Sunday's quarter-final at Oita, he still has not confirmed.

Tuesday at the Welsh Hotel, a French journalist asks back Liam Williams about the coach who made their defense a global reference. But he makes a strategic mistake by mentioning the arrival - supposed - of Edwards in the future staff of the Blues. The Welsh press officer jumped up: "It has not been announced yet ... if he joins France one day". Laughing Welsh journalists, and end of the interview.

Wednesday, new episode in the series, in progress for a year, on the uncertain future of this ex-English thiriziste, aged 52 years. Reacting to an article in L'Equipe according to which nothing definitive had yet been signed between Edwards and the French Federation (FFR), the vice-president of the latter, Serge Simon, said on Twitter: "Be reassured Shaun, c was your contract of employment, and we are very honored to welcome you after this World Cup. "

If the FFR, which is waiting for the end of the course of the Blues in Japan to publicize the appointment of future coach Fabien Galthie and his deputies, also seems nervous about this, it's because Edwards has been procrastinating for almost a year. First announced in Wigan, the little bald (1.73 m) made a false leap to his historic club rugby league in April and then approaches the Blues. Pushing his friend Warren Gatland, with whom he ends a two-decade joint venture at the helm of the Wasps (2002-2005) then Welsh (2008-2019), to publicly summon him to choose not to "distract" the Welsh in road to Japan. On May 2, the Welsh Federation (WRU) announces its departure ... without specifying its destination.

- A list of achievements -

No wonder the former star of rugby league is also courted, given its success: 4 championships in England (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008) and 2 European Cups (2004 and 2007) with Wasps, as assistant of Gatland then as main trainer, 4 Tournaments of the six nations (2008, 2012, 2013, 2019) with the XV of the Poireau. His secret? The "rush defense", also called "blitz defense", which consists of a very aggressive climb on the enemy attack, including cutting the outside (reverse defense).

When Edwards presents this defensive organization, which calls for a physical condition and a seamless collective coordination, the Welsh in early 2008, the players are flabbergasted. "Martyn Williams, Jamie Roberts ... they all say how much Shaun's defense system was an absolute shock to them, they had to think and play in a completely different way," says agency reporter Alex Bywater. Welsh sportsman Westgate.

The success is dazzling: the Dragons perform the Grand Slam that year, for the premiere of Gatland and Edwards. Since then, the "blitz defense" has been emulated internationally, especially at ... Galthie trying to import it into France.

- The fit Blues? -

It remains to be seen if the Blues will be physically level to be able to apply the recipes Edwards, flatten, get up, take place in the line, plaquer again ... "Otherwise, we have 30, 40 minutes and then we s' The system collapses without sufficient speed, "says Bywater.

For the moment, Edwards is still busy barking at the Welsh and swearing again flew Wednesday to Beppu. The players do not hold it against him, on the contrary.

"I learned a lot from him, he's a very smart guy," said Gareth Davies, who had already paid tribute to him after his interception test against Australia in Pool (29-25).

"It's about making the right choice at the right time, I work a lot with Shaun Edwards (...) and I owe him a lot of my testing," said the scrum half, pointing out that the technician's contribution was going beyond the defense. The French may be able to say the same in a few months.

© 2019 AFP