Edwards hails O’Shea impact

Editor

Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards has praised Italy boss Conor O’Shea for how he’s improved the Azzurri in such a short space of time.

Edwards described the Irishman as “a master motivator” ahead of the Six Nations opener between the two sides at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

O’Shea inspired his team to a win over South Africa in November, with Edwards admiring that feat and also how he’s improved Sergio Parisse.

“What is fantastic about Sergio Parisse is that he has got a new lease of life now,” he told Press Association Sport ahead of their showdown.

“You can tell that, under Conor O’Shea, who is a master motivator.”

He added: “You’ve also got Mike Catt and Brendan Venter on the Italy coaching staff as well. These are men to be respected.

“I read some comments from Sergio the other day, when he said he had been thinking about packing in international rugby. Let’s hope he enjoys the rest of this Six Nations, but not next Sunday too much.”