| Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Friday, 11 March Kick-off: 20:00 GMT |
| Protection: Watch dwell on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and on-line from 19:30 GMT; hear on BBC Radio 5 Dwell, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru; textual content commentary on BBC Sport web site and app. |
It’s not fairly grasp in opposition to apprentice this Friday in Cardiff when Wales’ Gethin Jenkins and France’s Shaun Edwards face one another as opposing defence coaches.
However the mutual respect the pair have for one another is placing with Edwards beforehand describing prop Jenkins as one of many best defensive gamers of all time.
As a participant, Jenkins labored below Edwards in Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for nearly 10 years earlier than retiring.
With Edwards orchestrating the defence from the aspect, Jenkins was usually seen as his on-field lieutenant.
So when Edwards left Wales for France after the 2019 World Cup, it will not be lengthy till Jenkins took over his position after changing Byron Hayward in 2020.
“There’s undoubtedly plenty of stuff that I’ve soaked up off him [Edwards] through the years, however I additionally wish to suppose there’s stuff I add to it by way of being myself,” stated Jenkins.
“You possibly can’t take away from what Shaun has completed, and he continues to achieve success with it.
“Shaun has been teaching for a very long time. I want to suppose I’d be the place he’s now in 10-15 years.
“He is been concerned in plenty of environments, plenty of robust worldwide video games the place he has ready a group and you may see his imprint coming by way of.”
So what did Jenkins be taught below Edwards?
“There’s too many issues to say,” he replied.
“From a training aspect, you’d do one thing on a Monday or Tuesday and also you most likely would not realise you’re doing it.
“On a Saturday, you’d come up in opposition to it. The extra you concentrate on it then, now as a coach, you realise why you do it, and attempt to replicate it as a lot as you possibly can.
“By way of the teaching aspect that might most likely be one of many issues I’ve discovered. By way of the psychological aspect, much less was extra with him.
“He’d rise up in a gathering, he would not say so much, however it will imply so much. You’d most likely take a bit of bit from that as properly.”
Jenkins was devastated when France denied Wales a Grand Slam in Paris final March with the ultimate transfer of the match in a 32-30 defeat for Wayne Pivac’s aspect.
Wales nonetheless clinched the Six Nations title, however had been left mirror on what may need been.
“It was bitter candy wasn’t it?” recalled Jenkins.
“I most likely did not sleep for 3 or 4 days after that recreation.
“It was one which bought away from us. There’s a bit of little bit of a driver in it, however I believe they’re a bit of little bit of a unique group to that now.
“It was the massive event the place we simply got here up brief. It was a experience we went on they usually managed to pip us on the finish.
“I do not suppose that recreation will impact how we put together this week.
“There will be a couple of technical bits that possibly we noticed that we did properly that me would possibly try to impose once more on them.
“There’s not an excessive amount of other than disappointment from that recreation.”
Les Bleus will arrive in Cardiff two wins away from a primary Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010.
Jenkins might be extra involved with easy methods to cease France captain and world participant of the yr Antoine Dupont, though the main focus won’t be on one particular person.
“You clearly discuss them,” added Jenkins.
“We needed to put together for Finn Russell and what bag of methods he was going to convey the week earlier than.
“You undoubtedly do your homework and look to see what’s coming, and consider one of the simplest ways we are able to handle them.
“You possibly can’t overly deal with one as a result of there might be gaps elsewhere. France are totally different.
“They have threats in every single place. They have large muscle within the forwards whereas they have Dupont, Ntamack, and a few energy within the centre as properly.
“There’s a couple of various things we’ll be taking a look at to try to get on high of them, however you possibly can’t totally replicate what a recreation will convey by way of depth, fatigue, thought below stress.”
