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'I'm disappointed with Wayne Pivac's comments - he has no idea what my salary is in France'

15 May 2019

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards

Shaun Edwards has hit back at Wayne Pivac after the incoming Wales coach suggested on Tuesday that the reason the current defence coach snubbed a WRU contract offer was “probably a financial one”.

Edwards is believed to be considering a four-year offer from France after he turned down a two-year deal with Wales to work under Pivac once Warren Gatland steps away from the helm following the World Cup in Japan.

Pivac addressed the matter at his weekly media conference ahead of Scarlets’ European qualification play-off versus Ospreys next Saturday in Swansea, stating: “We had some talks with Shaun and they were productive, but we did not quite get it over the line. It is an individual choice and probably a financial one.”

The rumbustious Edwards, though, has taken issue with Pivac’s accusation, contacting Welsh media on Wednesday to insists that money wasn’t a factor in his decision to move on from Wales when the Gatland era concludes.

In a statement issued to WalesOnline, Edwards wrote: “I’m disappointed with Wayne Pivac’s comments – he has no idea what my salary is in France.

EXCLUSIVE: Shaun Edwards takes swipe at Wayne Pivac as he issues strong statement on new Wales coach https://t.co/zGRQQd5Ugj
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) May 15, 2019

“The Wales team is on the greatest run in the history of Welsh rugby with 14 international victories in a row.

“We have recently won the Grand Slam and a fourth Six Nations title under our head coach Warren Gatland.

'It isn't a case that intellectual property goes and the new one comes in' https://t.co/N7SWiuJ2Ds
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 14, 2019

“I have been a part of them and have given Wales 12 years of loyal service, enjoying my time here immensely and having a great rapport with the Welsh public, who I love. There’s a lot to be excited about with the World Cup around the corner.”

It is believed that Edwards would have stayed with Wales had he been offered the full four-year deal he wanted. However, the chance to work with France through to the 2023 World Cup held sway, leaving the long-serving defence coach at odds with the Pivac regime.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Mzilikazi 4 minutes ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

I’ll comment, though Deepete better informed them I. There is the AIL, and I would say it is good in that there is now far more chance for clubs across all Ireland to compete for promotion the top level. It is interesting that the only two Ulster clubs in Div 1 A, teh top level, are Ballynahinch and Armagh. Pre the pro era they were junior clubs, and were stuck there. The great clubs of the pre pro era are either gone….North of Ireland and Collegians(though they combined), or are scattered down the leagues…Ballymena, who produced the great duo, Sid Millar and Willie John McBride, Dungannon, CIYMS.

See Deepet’s comment on Instonians below.

27 Go to comments

Samuel Almog 6 minutes ago

Mick Cleary: 'England are back among the heavyweights.'

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15 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 minutes ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

Wallace v Armagh, Deepete. Had a personal interest in following that one, my support with Armagh. Kenny Hooks coached them for a hell of a long time, lifted a small school to great heights. I coached him for five years…..2 Medallion, then 3 1st XV. He retired after some 41 years there last year, so was not involved with this year’s team.

Interesting to see Wallace now a power, and for them, happy to see them finally win the Cup…after some 7 ateempts. When I was coaching, Wallace were a hockey school, just beginning to play some rugby. Quite a transition.

Actually I’m sad to see the decline of some formerly great rugby schools. Coleraine Inst, Bangor GS now no longer competitive at all.

27 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 27 minutes ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

“What do you think you’d put down their success then to?” Special group of players coming together at that time, and good coaches, JW. Jimmy Davidson, and Harry Williams…..latter coached Ulster when they won the Heineken Cup. I began my coaching career under him, so knew him very well. Davidson played for Ireland, knew him well enough too. Outstanding man, sadly died of cancer few years ago.

“And how might it relate to current day?” Pondering that one, not so easy. I would say just not enough really talented playes, esp. in key positions. Flyhalf be one, scrumhalf too. John Cooney was great, now older. Days of having Ruan Pienaar were better. Probably coaching too, All recent coaches seem to struggle. Take Les Kiss. I would rate him a very good coach, went on the lift London Irish a lot till they folded financially. Now doing a good job with Qld, may soon be WB coach.

“when you say ‘we’ the lad was from Ulster?” No, Leinster, Kilkenny now, Roscrea previously, so schools outside Dublin. They don’t generally have the coaching expertise that schools like Blackrock can call on. Roscrea did win the Schools Cup in 2015…think they brought in a professional coach that year.

27 Go to comments

davidjohnson 40 minutes ago

Ireland player ratings vs Italy | 2025 Six Nations

Hello, good day everyone. I want to use this medium to share with you how my life changed from a Iberia food truck driver to who I am today. This can be anybody and it can still be you, because time is never too late. My name is David Johnson from Brooklyn, New York city! Playing the lottery was my passion. I've played for years not winning anything before I met with Dr Marcus. He was the man who gave me numbers to play after putting to work. He makes me believe in spirituality. Because I was skeptical about it. I went out that morning to play despite being sick that day. That evening a friend of mine who works in the same company called me and said 'Dave, somebody won the Powerball at the gas station. The next morning I checked my numbers. I still don't believe I've won so I have to stop back at the gas station to finally check my ticket before going into work. I looked at the board and I'm like "oh my God" I won $298.3 million. jumped up and down the store...... Quickly got back in my car, turned the music up and zoomed home. I was so happy I couldn't even eat. I was hungry but my stomach was full! All thanks to you Dr. I'm forever grateful I never believed but he changed my life, reach him today drmacusspellcaster@gmail.com or WhatsApp +234 811-049-2028, I believe he will be there for you as well...

5 Go to comments

davidjohnson 41 minutes ago

Ireland player ratings vs Italy | 2025 Six Nations

Hello, good day everyone. I want to use this medium to share with you how my life changed from a Iberia food truck driver to who I am today. This can be anybody and it can still be you, because time is never too late. My name is David Johnson from Brooklyn, New York city! Playing the lottery was my passion. I've played for years not winning anything before I met with Dr Marcus. He was the man who gave me numbers to play after putting to work. He makes me believe in spirituality. Because I was skeptical about it. I went out that morning to play despite being sick that day. That evening a friend of mine who works in the same company called me and said 'Dave, somebody won the Powerball at the gas station. The next morning I checked my numbers. I still don't believe I've won so I have to stop back at the gas station to finally check my ticket before going into work. I looked at the board and I'm like "oh my God" I won $298.3 million. jumped up and down the store...... Quickly got back in my car, turned the music up and zoomed home. I was so happy I couldn't even eat. I was hungry but my stomach was full! All thanks to you Dr. I'm forever grateful I never believed but he changed my life, reach him today drmacusspellcaster @gmail. com or WhatsApp +234 811-049-2028, I believe he will be there for you as well...

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MD 49 minutes ago

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Un bon signal pour la MLR. À voir si sa formation d’entraineur en France lui a donné l’idée de militer pour une politique similaire à celle des JIFF aux U.S.

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MD 52 minutes ago

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Samuel Almog 53 minutes ago

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MD 54 minutes ago

La Major League Rugby diffusée gratuitement en France

Un championnat qui a du potentiel. Le niveau des équipes est encore hétérogène et une vrai politique de formation doit être mise en place.

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TokoRFC 1 hour ago

The drums are starting to beat louder for Du’Plessis Kirifi

Do you think NZ can go 6-2 with at least one player backline player covering each backline position? Ie. only needing a forward in the backs in the event of 2 injuries? Just wondering because, most of our backs play multiple positions, its seems like we aren’t utilizing that.

Don’t get me wrong 5-3 should be our go to but surely it should be 5-3 with best players in preferred positions or 6-2 with some utility options. We seem stuck in between the two.

In any case we need an answer to France and Boks if they are can go for a 7-1. Kirifi could be that 6th impact forward we need.

17 Go to comments

Deepete 1 hour ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

Indeed. A development team gives the impression that the players go on to greater things, which isn't the case. Most Ulster players fade into obscurity. A graveyard might be a better metaphor

27 Go to comments

Deepete 1 hour ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

That's a fine question, JW. As far as I'm concerned the Ulster domestic clubs are faring ok. The biggest news in Irish Club rugby for the last few years has been the rise and rise of Instonians (a Belfast team) who have been rocketing up the leagues. They were once a large club who then had maybe 2 decades floundering in the low leagues but for whatever reason have really progressed and look set to get promoted into league 1b (consider it the 2nd division). Their story certainly could be an inspiration for a fallen Ulster outfit!

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PR 1 hour ago

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