Down deep past Perpignan in French Catalan territory, the mantelpiece at Shaun Edwards’s coastal abode is growing ever more crowded. A legend of two rugby codes already possessed a collection of precious metal to rival any Hatton Garden jeweller, but on Saturday, the France defence coach made men’s Six Nations history after securing a sixth winners’ medal.
No man has ever been part of more title-winning set-ups, a second secured with France in their belle epoque to go along with the four won with Wales during Warren Gatland’s golden age. It was not as if Edwards was lacking in trophies and trinkets from his playing days: his nine Challenge Cup crowns are not even a quarter of the prizes secured during his time at Wigan.
