Shaun Edwards off to Toulon...

[Sandydragon]

... for one day a week.

Not sure Im overly happy about this. We have enough work to do with the national team without coaches being distracted by other responsibilities.

[Ross. S]

Its rediculous. Our coaches are just using the Wales job to further their careers elsewhere. Gatland only has eyes for the Lions and presumably NZ, Gustard is still (was?) working for Toulon and now Edwards has one eye on Toulon. They need to get their shit together or piss off. Why dafuq are the WRU allowing this? We don't want our players moving outside Wales but we're ok to let our coaches moonlight with anyone. Its time for a mass clearout now, coaching and blazers. If you're not here for the good of Welsh rugby then fuck off.

[Sandydragon]

Its rediculous. Our coaches are just using the Wales job to further their careers elsewhere. Gatland only has eyes for the Lions and presumably NZ, Gustard is still (was?) working for Toulon and now Edwards has one eye on Toulon. They need to get their shit together or piss off. Why dafuq are the WRU allowing this? We don't want our players moving outside Wales but we're ok to let our coaches moonlight with anyone. Its time for a mass clearout now, coaching and blazers. If you're not here for the good of Welsh rugby then fuck off.

Fair point, it sends a poor message when we are asking our players to turn down pop star wages and commit to Wales.

[Numbers]

Unless he is unavailable for any of the international windows as a consequence, which I very much doubt, there is little to be concerned about.

[morepork]

Wawwen has zero chance at the AB top job.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Wawwen has zero chance at the AB top job.

I reckon he has zero chance of an ITM job let alone a Super Rugby Franchise.

[Digby]

Unless he is unavailable for any of the international windows as a consequence, which I very much doubt, there is little to be concerned about.

Probably a good thing for the Welsh players, he might be a little less vindictive come the Welsh training sessions if he's getting a chance to coach out his frustrations with Toulon. And Wales do look a side that are too coached.

[Digby]

Wawwen has zero chance at the AB top job.

I reckon he has zero chance of an ITM job let alone a Super Rugby Franchise.

Surely he'd get an ITM job? Soup rugby, well I don't follow that so I've no idea how any of franchises are going but yes that might be tricky, but I can't believe he wouldn't be in demand at ITM level, I can believe an ITM job and wages wouldn't interest Gats, maybe that's the zero chance.

[morepork]

Wawwen has zero chance at the AB top job.

I reckon he has zero chance of an ITM job let alone a Super Rugby Franchise.

Surely he'd get an ITM job? Soup rugby, well I don't follow that so I've no idea how any of franchises are going but yes that might be tricky, but I can't believe he wouldn't be in demand at ITM level, I can believe an ITM job and wages wouldn't interest Gats, maybe that's the zero chance.

I don't think I like the cut of your jib.

The NZ franchises (apart from one) are cleaning up. The Chiefs play "Soup" rugger and their second/third stringers blew Wales B away. I wouldn't be so sure of the ITM gig....Wawwen shot his load long ago.

[Ross. S]

Just because Gats has zero chance of the NZ, Soup, ITM jobs doesn't mean hes not lusting after one

Unless he is unavailable for any of the international windows as a consequence, which I very much doubt, there is little to be concerned about.

Could you see Eddie Jones, Steve Hansen, Michael Cheika or any other top coach or union allowing their coaches to moonlight elsewhere?

Its not just one day a week, he'll have traveling to consider which apparently isn't straight forward to Toulon. Then hes not just gonna turn up in France and train them, he'll be coming up with plans etc before hes out there. 1 day could well turn in to 2-3 days and you can be sure the comic book guy will want his tuppence worth.

[Numbers]

Just because Gats has zero chance of the NZ, Soup, ITM jobs doesn't mean hes not lusting after one

Unless he is unavailable for any of the international windows as a consequence, which I very much doubt, there is little to be concerned about.

Could you see Eddie Jones, Steve Hansen, Michael Cheika or any other top coach or union allowing their coaches to moonlight elsewhere?

Its not just one day a week, he'll have traveling to consider which apparently isn't straight forward to Toulon. Then hes not just gonna turn up in France and train them, he'll be coming up with plans etc before hes out there. 1 day could well turn in to 2-3 days and you can be sure the comic book guy will want his tuppence worth.

You've named three head coaches, England have had coaches go on Lions tours, what impact do you think this has on our National team exactly?

Bearing in mind during this period he will not be with any of the Wales squad, if we don't have full access to him for the International windows then I would agree with you, I find it difficult to imagine that would be the case.

[Ross. S]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... n-11648793

DENIED!

If he has that much spare time then one of the regions could do with his help

[Sandydragon]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... n-11648793

DENIED!

If he has that much spare time then one of the regions could do with his help

Good. Regardless of any other considerations, it sends a bad message.

[Mush]

......but if this is/was intended as development FOR Edwards rather than coaching BY Edwards, surely this would be a good thing and an opportunity to use some of what he learns for the good of the Wales national team. I suppose the key indicator of what the role entails is whether Toulon are/were to pay him or not.

[Sandydragon]

......but if this is/was intended as development FOR Edwards rather than coaching BY Edwards, surely this would be a good thing and an opportunity to use some of what he learns for the good of the Wales national team. I suppose the key indicator of what the role entails is whether Toulon are/were to pay him or not.

If it were personal development for Edwards then I would have no problem with the idea; it just seems an odd way of doing it if that were the case and the reporting certainly suggested it was a paid role. If Edwards were to spend 2-3 weeks in Toulon (unpaid) watching their coaching staff then I think that could be classed as development. This looked like a second job.

[Numbers]

......but if this is/was intended as development FOR Edwards rather than coaching BY Edwards, surely this would be a good thing and an opportunity to use some of what he learns for the good of the Wales national team. I suppose the key indicator of what the role entails is whether Toulon are/were to pay him or not.

If it were personal development for Edwards then I would have no problem with the idea; it just seems an odd way of doing it if that were the case and the reporting certainly suggested it was a paid role. If Edwards were to spend 2-3 weeks in Toulon (unpaid) watching their coaching staff then I think that could be classed as development. This looked like a second job.

Question: Do you think a coach will get better the more he coaches and works with other coaches?

I'm not sure why the WRU have stopped this other than because they already have a strained relationship with Toulon with the ongoing Halfpenny saga.

[Sandydragon]

......but if this is/was intended as development FOR Edwards rather than coaching BY Edwards, surely this would be a good thing and an opportunity to use some of what he learns for the good of the Wales national team. I suppose the key indicator of what the role entails is whether Toulon are/were to pay him or not.

If it were personal development for Edwards then I would have no problem with the idea; it just seems an odd way of doing it if that were the case and the reporting certainly suggested it was a paid role. If Edwards were to spend 2-3 weeks in Toulon (unpaid) watching their coaching staff then I think that could be classed as development. This looked like a second job.

Question: Do you think a coach will get better the more he coaches and works with other coaches?

I'm not sure why the WRU have stopped this other than because they already have a strained relationship with Toulon with the ongoing Halfpenny saga.

Actually, yes I do. And as I wrote below, if this were arranged as a short term busman's holiday then fair enough. But it isn't and there will have to be concerns at conflict of interests, at Toulon of all clubs. And again, what sort of message does it send to players who were are trying to tempt to stay in Wales?

[Numbers]

If it were personal development for Edwards then I would have no problem with the idea; it just seems an odd way of doing it if that were the case and the reporting certainly suggested it was a paid role. If Edwards were to spend 2-3 weeks in Toulon (unpaid) watching their coaching staff then I think that could be classed as development. This looked like a second job.

Question: Do you think a coach will get better the more he coaches and works with other coaches?

I'm not sure why the WRU have stopped this other than because they already have a strained relationship with Toulon with the ongoing Halfpenny saga.

Actually, yes I do. And as I wrote below, if this were arranged as a short term busman's holiday then fair enough. But it isn't and there will have to be concerns at conflict of interests, at Toulon of all clubs. And again, what sort of message does it send to players who were are trying to tempt to stay in Wales?

What has the duration of this got to do with anything? The only considerations are the international windows. I'm not sure the point you're trying to make regarding an example to players is valid, it's by no means a direct comparison, I don't recall such an uproar when Gatland had his Lions sabatical.

[Sandydragon]

Question: Do you think a coach will get better the more he coaches and works with other coaches?

I'm not sure why the WRU have stopped this other than because they already have a strained relationship with Toulon with the ongoing Halfpenny saga.

Actually, yes I do. And as I wrote below, if this were arranged as a short term busman's holiday then fair enough. But it isn't and there will have to be concerns at conflict of interests, at Toulon of all clubs. And again, what sort of message does it send to players who were are trying to tempt to stay in Wales?

What has the duration of this got to do with anything? The only considerations are the international windows. I'm not sure the point you're trying to make regarding an example to players is valid, it's by no means a direct comparison, I don't recall such an uproar when Gatland had his Lions sabatical.

Less of a conflict of interest. Toulon are playing a Welsh side, they would benefit, even if Edwards were to be absent directly before that game.

For the record, I was unhappy at the Gatland post to the Lions as well. I want Welsh coaches working for the Wels team, if that is outside the international window then surely there is more they can do for the regions or the wider game? Not that long ago, he signed a full time contract, now he wants a day off to help out a French side.

And all of this whilst we are pushing a Team Wales ethos?

[Spiffy]

Edwards (as well as Gatland, Howley) is overrated as a coach anyway. Wales just keep on doing the same thing.

[Sandydragon]

Edwards (as well as Gatland, Howley) is overrated as a coach anyway. Wales just keep on doing the same thing.

Bit harsh. Of the 3, Edwards has been the one who has been most effective, our defense (until recently) has been very good. If we had a choice to keep one of the 3, it would have been Edwards in my opinion.

Maybe he has failed to keep up with the game, don't know. But he is still a decent coach.

[Spiffy]

Edwards (as well as Gatland, Howley) is overrated as a coach anyway. Wales just keep on doing the same thing.

Bit harsh. Of the 3, Edwards has been the one who has been most effective, our defense (until recently) has been very good. If we had a choice to keep one of the 3, it would have been Edwards in my opinion.

Maybe he has failed to keep up with the game, don't know. But he is still a decent coach.

He could be both decent and overrated.

[Sandydragon]

Edwards (as well as Gatland, Howley) is overrated as a coach anyway. Wales just keep on doing the same thing.

Bit harsh. Of the 3, Edwards has been the one who has been most effective, our defense (until recently) has been very good. If we had a choice to keep one of the 3, it would have been Edwards in my opinion.

Maybe he has failed to keep up with the game, don't know. But he is still a decent coach.

He could be both decent and overrated.

Last season, or the second half at any rate, we had issues, but before that, I do t think too many supporters thought anything but positively of Edwards. I was probably being understative, he is better than decent.

If the rest of the coaching team had been that effective we would have been world beaters!

[Digby]

Could you see Eddie Jones, Steve Hansen, Michael Cheika or any other top coach or union allowing their coaches to moonlight elsewhere?

I'd wonder why they wouldn't want their coaches to be coaching, though it'd be a fair question why as a Wales coach he couldn't do that with the Regions and even the Premiership clubs.

[Mush]

Edwards (as well as Gatland, Howley) is overrated as a coach anyway. Wales just keep on doing the same thing.

Bit harsh. Of the 3, Edwards has been the one who has been most effective, our defense (until recently) has been very good. If we had a choice to keep one of the 3, it would have been Edwards in my opinion.

Maybe he has failed to keep up with the game, don't know. But he is still a decent coach.

If he has failed to keep up with the game, Toulon don't need him and he needs to find a way to continuously develop. Watching other coaches will surely spark some thoughts on how he might translate that to the national team. If this was always the intention I would welcome it, though it might have been better for all concerned if he stayed behind in NZ in the NH off season and done it. If it was a second job, I agree with your discontent.