Shaun Edwards is sharing the load

Feb 18 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

SHAUN Edwards believes his job sharing role with Wales and Wasps is working after celebrating another victory.

Edwards was straight across the Severn Bridge on Saturday night to link-up with Welsh national coach Warren Gatland and prepare for this weekend’s Six Nations Championships clash between Wales and Italy.

And victory at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday will extend his personal winning streak this month to four victories after he helped London Wasps beat Bath at The Recreation Ground by 42-34 on Saturday.

Edwards, 41, believes he is coping with his time management well between his club and country commitments.

The former rugby league legend left Gatland and his national staff to it last week because it was a non-Six Nations weekend.

But, directly after his club side climbed to sixth in the Guinness Premiership table after a stunning match, his thoughts turned back to international affairs. Arranging Edwards’ schedule, though, would give the most highly-organised personal assistant major headaches.

“This week, with there being no Test match, I spent the early part of the week at Wasps preparing for the Bath game,” said Edwards. “Later on in the week, I was over in Wales and they had three training sessions.

“The lads have got the weekend off so I will be with Wales early on this week and we will be looking at Italy’s play on the defensive side of the game.

“Then I will go back to Wasps for a day and back to Wales for the full Test match towards the latter end of the week and, of course, looking forward to another Test match at the Millennium Stadium.

“I think the two people who have to take the most credit for it are Ian McGeechan and Warren Gatland.”

gareth.griffiths@mediawales