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Page last updated at 16:56 GMT, Tuesday, 3 February 2009

Edwards underlines Wales' hunger

Date: Sunday, 8 February Kick-off: 1500 GMTVenue: Murrayfield
Coverage: Screened live on BBC ONE Wales and online plus full commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and online & score updates on BBC Radio Five Live


Edwards welcomes favourites tag

Defence coach Shaun Edwards says the secret to Wales' continued hunger to improve lies in making their lives uncomfortable and challenging.

Edwards' insight came on the eve of Wales naming the side to face Scotland in their Six Nations opener on Sunday.

"There's definitely some characters developing who certainly challenge each other and bring the best out of each other," said Edwards

"I won't name any names because it's unfair on the other guys."

Edwards, who was a central character in the outstanding Wigan rugby league side of the 1980s, was asked how they went about maintaining their high standards compared with Warren Gatland's Wales squad.

606: DEBATE

He said: "Constant hunger to improve and constantly challenging yourself and challenging each other."

But Edwards also said the squad environment needed to be uncomfortable to ensure continued improvement.

"I can't explain it any better than that. Challenging each other and not settling for second best.

"Warren has stated many, many times that we want to be regarded as one of the best teams in the world and we know to do that we have to improve on where we are now," said the Wasps head coach.

"I think results against the southern hemisphere teams in the autumn proved that the northern hemisphere still has a bit of catching up to do, even though I thought we obviously performed honourably in most of the games, well all the games really.

"But honourably is not good enough. We want to be considered one of the best teams in the world and to do that we need to improve."

*Wales are due to name their team to face Scotland on Wednesday, 4 February (approx. 1300 GMT)


Forwards (16): Gethin Jenkins, John Yapp, Adam Jones, Rhys Thomas, Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Ryan Jones (capt), Jonathan Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Robin Sowden-Taylor.

Backs (13): Mike Phillips, Gareth Cooper, Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, James Hook, Gavin Henson, Andrew Bishop, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Mark Jones, Lee Byrne.



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Wales' rugby fixtures
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Wales rugby results archive
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BBC Sport Wales coverage
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