How different might it have been when Edwards was firmly in the RFU’s sights some 15 years ago. Andy Robinson offered him a role of defence coach in 2006 but Edwards was still mourning the death of his brother in a car crash. Then two years later, Rob Andrew, the RFU’s elite rugby director, offered him an ill-defined role with the England Saxons team. Edwards turned down that insult of an offer to take up the defence gig with Wales. 

England have had some good defence coaches while Edwards was in Wales, although only Andy Farrell, another Englishman coaching abroad, can really be considered in his league. It is often said that coaching defence is simple, in comparison to attack, because rather than imparting detailed tactical nuance Edwards’ main instruction is a variation of “smash ‘im”. Securing an emotional buy-in from the playing group is one thing, maintaining it over a long period is another. You often see defence coaches secure an immediate bounce in performance before suffering a drop off. Paul Gustard and John Mitchell fell into his category. 

Edwards keeps doing it year in, year out. And now he is doing it in France. The 13-9 victory against Wales on Friday night was based squarely on Edwards’ defence. Wales had plenty of possession in the French 22 but apart from Jonathan Davies’ drop there never seemed a point when they looked like scoring a try. Two weeks earlier, the same attack scored three tries against England. 

It was long said that if France ever gained the basics of discipline and defence then the rest of the rugby world was in trouble. Now they have it and it is clear who has given it to them. Footage recently emerging of Edwards giving team talks in French with the broadest Wigan accent imaginable. As with Wales, all the French players hang on his every word.