Wales coach Shaun Edwards wary of England backs ahead of Rugby World Cup
Wednesday 16 September 2015 18:00, UK
Shaun Edwards has revealed Wales are working overtime on their tackling as they prepare to face England’s “electric” backs at Twickenham next week.
The Welsh begin their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on Sunday but they already have one eye on their pivotal Pool A clash with England six days later.
Stuart Lancaster's side finished as top points scorers in this season's Six Nations and their 18 tries scored were 10 more than champions Ireland managed.
Wales defence coach Edwards is wary of the danger posed by the English backs and has been working on specific tackling drills with his players.
"England backs have fantastic footwork, so I won't hide the fact we have been practising a lot against people with really good feet and that sort of player," he said.
"If you look at the back line in Anthony Watson and Jonny May, while Jonathan Joseph is probably in the top three No 13s in the world at the moment, and was the top try-scorer in the last Six Nations, we are fully aware of the threat that is coming our way.
"England have scored the most points in the last two Six Nations, so we are playing against a very potent attacking team who can hit you in all ways.
"They have some electric backs and play expansive rugby, but they can also hit you through the forwards with a mauling game. We have got our hands full and know we have a huge challenge ahead, but we are preparing well for that challenge.
"We have been practising with our own guys, and we have got players with good feet with people like Hallam Amos.
"We have a lot of big backs, powerful guys who if you run pretty much straight at them I am confident our guys will be able to tackle you.
"That's why we have been working on all aspects of our defence, both head-on tackling as well as our defence against people with tricky feet, and the English players are very good in that aspect of the game."
Former rugby league star Edwards, meanwhile, has praised England's Sam Burgess following his switch from the 13-a-side code to a place in the World Cup match-day 23 for Friday night's World Cup opener against Fiji.
"I think Sam has been massively improving," said Edwards. "Like any player, it was a big change for him to change sport, but for Sam to change from a forward to a back as well, that made it even harder for him.
"Sometimes you see the merit of a player when he's in a losing team. I watched the English grand final (between Bath and Saracens last May), and I thought Sam was Bath's best forward.
"He really put himself about and did a load of work in a team that was under a lot of pressure that day.
"We know how much guts and bravery he's got, but I thought that game in particular was an excellent performance from him. Sam has acquitted himself very, very well."
