NICK CAIN CALLS A VILLAGE IN FRANCE TO TALK TO THE MAN HELPING FIRE LES BLUES

Off: Mohammed Haouas punches Scotland’s Jamie Ritchie

SOON after Shaun Edwards had been announced as France defence coach in November he did an interview in Paris with a group of French journalists. When he was asked what he would bring Edwards’ first word was: “Intensity.” Given a track record as the best defence coach in the world that was no surprise – and he has been true to his word.
France’s extraordinary transformation into a hard-hitting, cohesive tackling line in a...