Shaun Edwards reveals game-changing Wales mistake against England
Tuesday 21 February 2017 17:28, UK
Shaun Edwards has pinpointed Wales' error which allowed England's Elliot Daly to score the match-winning try in Cardiff 10 days ago.
In an absorbing clash at the Principality Stadium, Wales led 16-14 with four minutes to go but failed to find touch with a clearance from their own line before England spread the ball wide and Wasps back Daly scampered to the try line to seal the victory for Eddie Jones' side.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, defence coach Edwards revealed Wales' failure to follow their clearing strategy cost them the victory.
"What happened was that we broke off structure," said Edwards.
"From any unstructured turnover, where the backs turn the ball over, we are supposed to go two rucks [in order] to get our backs back up on their feet to fill the pitch.
"We didn't do that. We passed it back to the kicker after one ruck, which was a mistake. It should have been two rucks.
"I don't think Jonathan [Davies] expected the ball because he expected a two-ruck exit play. That is probably one of the reasons why his kick wasn't as accurate as normal.
"But everyone makes mistakes. If one of us makes a mistake, we all make a mistake together.
"I always say to the players if they miss a tackle, I miss a tackle. It's not a matter of us and them, it's a matter of we.
"Our kick-chase wasn't set up because we expected it to go another ruck after the turnover. We didn't have our kick-chase in position. That was the issue."
Wales beat Italy in Rome on the opening weekend before losing to England in Cardiff and next travel to face Scotland at Murrayfield, knowing another defeat will rule them out of the title running.
Ahead of that clash in Edinburgh, Edwards confirmed that George North is fit for selection, while No 8 Taulupe Faletau is vying for a back-row place alongside Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty.
Scotland meanwhile will have to make do without skipper Greig Laidlaw and back-rower Josh Strauss for the rest of the Six Nations after ankle and kidney injures respectively, but have welcomed back six players into the squad who were injury concerns.
