Shaun Edwards reveals mad dash to get partner and daughters to France before coronavirus lockdown
SHAUN EDWARDS has pulled off many nail-biting triumphs in a stunning rugby career in both codes. Yet few have been quite so hairy as the beat-the-clock dash which saved him from being stranded on his own in Southern France. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates Edwards moved […]
SHAUN EDWARDS has pulled off many nail-biting triumphs in a stunning rugby career in both codes.
Yet few have been quite so hairy as the beat-the-clock dash which saved him from being stranded on his own in Southern France.
Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates
Edwards moved to Canet, just outside Perpignan, at the start of the year in his new role as French defence coach.
And his family were set to fly out and join him later this month.
But as the coronavirus pandemic spread, plans for partner Maggie and their two young daughters were rushed forward to March and it became a frantic race against time.
They finally grabbed a flight from Heathrow just hours before France went into lockdown.
Edwards, 53, is still thanking his lucky stars they made it — and if it had not been for a double switch in the schedule, they would not have done.
He said: “We changed plans twice. They were going to come in late April at first, but then when the lockdown was first mentioned, they arranged it for the Tuesday.
She managed to get a 7pm flight out of Heathrow on the Sunday and the next day France went into lockdown. It’s a miracle they managed to get here in time.
Shaun Edwards
“But then I was talking to my partner on the Friday and said it needed to be as soon as possible, the way they were talking.
“She managed to get a 7pm flight out of Heathrow on the Sunday and the next day France went into lockdown. It’s a miracle they managed to get here in time.
“I’ve got two little girls, aged five and two, and being out here on my own for three, four months, without them would’ve been awful.”
Edwards is no stranger to spending time away. As a star of Wigan’s all-conquering side, he collected a record 37 winners’ medals.
When he focused on coaching and changed codes, it has been a similar tale of success with Wasps and then defence coach of Wales’ four-time Six Nations champions.
His final game as Warren Gatland’s right-hand man saw South Africa pip them in the World Cup semi-final, before France snapped him up.
But time away in the past has been with a game to plan for, and a team-mates and colleagues in the same boat.
This would have been isolation of the worst kind.
Edwards added: “I was away for about 240 days last year, with the World Cup and various things.
“When you’re away with a team, there’s always a bit of a craic, you’re all focused on the match.
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“Now I’m reconnecting with my daughters. We go to the play area up the road, as we’re allowed to.
“It gives them a chance to run around and let off steam.
“I’m just really enjoying being a dad and being with them.
“We’re keeping a safe distance when we’re out and I’m having French lessons on Skype. I can speak a bit and it’s getting better but obviously not fluent yet.”
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It will not be long and there have been signs of his impact in turning France around.
Les Bleus are currently second to England on points difference in the Six Nations table.
Edwards admitted: “It’s a young side and there is a lot to work on — but right now there are far more important things.”
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