Lawrence Dallaglio believes England “missed a trick” by not adding Shaun Edwards to Brian Ashton’s coaching staff prior to last weekend’s Six Nations kick-off.

After failing to receive an offer from his home country, the Wasps head coach joined Warren Gatland’s new-look coaching staff in Wales. And the pair masterminded a first victory for the Welsh at Twickenham in 20 years by a 26-19 scoreline on Saturday.

Since Edwards, hailed the best coach in the world by Matt Dawson, joined the coaching staff at Adams Park in 2001, Wasps have won three Guinness Premiership crowns and two Heineken Cup finals. Those are credentials Dallaglio feels should have impressed the RFU management.

“They obviously feel comfortable with the coaching team they’ve got and that’s their prerogative,” said the former England skipper. “But undoubtedly if you get selected to play for England based on your form for your club, the same should apply to coaches. And Shaun’s coaching form is red hot.

“Certainly, he’s going to be a hot property and he’s with Wales now. They have a very committed, 110 percent guy who is passionate about rugby.”
While former rugby league legend Edwards will attempt to guide Wales to success in the Six Nations, Dallaglio harbours hopes that his club boss will one day be involved in the England set-up.

“Things change very quickly in rugby,” Dallaglio admitted. “Warren Gatland was coaching Ireland six years ago, he coached Wasps for three years and now he’s coaching Wales. Shaun is with Wales but I hope that one day he will direct his passion and commitment towards his own country.”

Like Edwards, Dallaglio also plans to move into the coaching ranks when his playing career comes to an end later this year.

“I think I would enjoy coaching,” admitted the 2003 World Cup winner. “Rugby is in my blood and I don’t feel like walking away from the game. It’s a very enjoyable way to earn a living.”

So given he was such a passionate player for England, does Dallaglio dream of one day being involved in the national set-up as a coach?

“Of course, yes, I would like to be, but I have to be a bit more humble than that,” Dallaglio admitted. “If it’s right for England and it’s right for me, great, but for someone like myself, there would be a steep learning curve. You don’t go from being an elite player to an elite coach – you have to prove yourself.”