Please Shaun stick with Wales

Mar 17 2008 by Carolyn Hitt, Western Mail

Wales’ defence coach Shaun Edwards said his contract is up in the air. Here, Carolyn Hitt writes a love-letter on behalf of us all to urge him to stay

Dear Shaun,

On behalf of the nation, thank you so much. We couldn’t have done it without you. Just two tries conceded in five games. A miraculous statistic. Attacking flair has been a Welsh trademark since we won our first Grand Slam in 1908. As we collect our 10th 100 years later, you’ve made our defence a thing of wonder.

That’s what made the difference throughout the tournament and that’s what won it for us on Saturday. We rendered that fancy French backline try-less. Not even Vincent Clerc could dance his way through that impenetrable red wall. And we created our own two tries from the strength of our defence, pressurising the French attack into mistakes pounced on so gloriously by Messrs Shane and Martyn Williams.

They know what you’ve brought to Welsh rugby. The fabulous fear factor for one thing. Asked for the secret of our defensive transformation, Shane revealed, “It’s probably down to the fact that everyone is scared senseless of Shaun.” And he was only half joking!

Martyn has seen more coaching regimes than any other player in this Welsh team and he knows you’re the best.

“All the credit for our defensive work goes to Shaun,” said the Magnificent Seven. “He has made a difference, he has been unbelievable. It is all about mindset and you saw in the first-half against the French when we didn’t have the ball, the amount of work we put in.”

You made the press chuckle earlier in the campaign when you said the players were excited when they didn’t have the ball because it meant they could dazzle in defence just like they shine in attack. We know what you mean now. It is all about the mindset. And the character shown in building that “they shall not pass” mentality has been immense.

If you’ve made them play out of their skins for fear of the verbal consequences you’ve made them laugh too, building harmony in the camp with your rendition of a Drifters classic.

“I just wanted the team to have a song and Saturday Night at the Movies is the only one I know the words to,” you explained.“We had just beaten England and everybody was just sat down in the dressing room. I started singing and everybody just joined in. It has become a theme for us now. The players did look at me a bit strangely but I believe you have to celebrate your victories and there isn’t a better way than singing a song.”

In just six weeks, you’ve certainly struck the right chord. These boys will do anything for you. You understand them. Even the so-called tricky ones. But speak as you find, you said. You took Gavin Henson, the World Cup outcast, and made him your defensive captain of the backs. All Gavin has ever needed is reassurance and he’s had an outstanding Six Nations. Likewise Mike Phillips, the number nine previously told he would never be number one choice, has been heroic in defence. They’ve stretched every sinew to repay your faith. No wonder, when you bring those bottles of champagne into the dressing room, your personal man of the match award is the only one that matters.

And you understand the Welsh rugby psyche. You connect to the passion, understand the heritage and relate to the intensity because you feel it yourself. In fact, are you sure you’re really English?! But just as you’ve instilled the need to complement our attacking style with defensive steel, you counter our emotiveness with much-needed pragmatism.

“I’m never happy, am I?” you laughed when we basked in our defensive effort – a Six Nations record – and you pointed out Wales had still conceded an interception try.

As grateful players, pundits and public paid homage to you in the characteristic Welsh way – that is stopping just short of beatification – you also modestly sidestepped the plaudits. “I can assure you, I didn’t make one tackle in this Six Nations. The credit must go to the players,” you said, describing how you “couldn’t be prouder of the lads”. We couldn’t be prouder of them too but we know the difference you’ve made is crucial to what’s just happened and what could unfold.

Yet as the whole nation bounces back to work this morning with a smile on its face, there’s just one worry threatening to take the gloss of this glorious Grand Slam – the thought you could leave us. You’ve admitted that your contract is “up in the air”. Like Lee Byrne under the high ball, we want to leap up, nail it, gather it in our embrace and make it safe. There is talk of links to an English coaching role. Tell them they had their chance, Shaun. We knew your worth while they were faffing around with the meagre offer of an England Saxons job. As Warren Gatland quipped ironically, what a compliment that was. You know the talent you’re working with here.

You’re in a country that cares as much as you do. We really appreciate you – we couldn’t have had a better start to our relationship. Let’s make it long-term. Like you Shaun, I’m a Catholic, and the Hail Marys are starting now – I’m praying you’ll stay. Savour the “sensational feeling” you described on seeing your boys seal the Grand Slam. We couldn’t have done it without you. And if you stick with Wales think how much more we can do with you.

Yours in Sport,
Carolyn Hitt

No need to ‘Beware the ides of March’ as good omens prevail - page 2