Edwards at home in Welsh land of passion

Surely this injustice has to stop. Ever since he helped guide the Dragons to victory over England at Twickenham, the former Great Britain rugby league scrum half should have been granted the freedom to enter his adopted country along the M4 without payment. In fact, the way it is going, a police escort would be entirely appropriate.

But, as yet, there have been no border-crossing perks. 'They haven't let me off the toll charges so far,' said Edwards with a grin.

He has broken up the regular journeys between his day-job as Wasps head coach and his new duties as Warren Gatland's defence guru by switching between rail and road.

He claims it has been remarkably stress-free. The same could be said for his experiences with Wales. Three RBS Six Nations matches, three wins and one effective blitz defence.

It all adds up to a reputation which grows by the week. Edwards is already in his element in Test rugby.

'Ian McGeechan (Wasps' director of rugby) realised I was ready for a new challenge and joining up with Wales has reinvigorated me,' he said. 'I'm very happy with how it's going.'

What motivated his move 'out of the comfort zone' was the burning desire to work with the Lions next summer. It is early days, but Edwards believes he has done his prospects of being recruited for the South Africa tour no harm.

'When I didn't get picked for the last Lions tour, in the back of my mind I had the excuse that it was because I wasn't involved in international rugby,' he said.

'I wanted to do everything I could to give myself a chance of going to South Africa, so I am incredibly grateful to Wasps and to Wales for accommodating me.

'It is for other people to decide how I am doing but we haven't had a try scored against us from running play yet which is a positive thing.'

After 10 years of being 'anonymous' living in London, Edwards is enthused by the passion of the Welsh supporters. He can sense the same commitment to a rugby cause he grew up with in the league heartlands of Lancashire.

'People often go on about the attention you get in Wales being very intense but I'm from Wigan so I've had this since I was 16,' he said. 'Wales is just like a giant Wigan.'

The positive reaction he has enjoyed from the Welsh public has been matched by endless tributes from players galvanised by their new coaches.

Edwards has been given considerable credit for what Wales have achieved in the last five weeks but he has also been portrayed as something of a tyrant.

An image has emerged of a straight-talking — make that straight-shouting — drill sergeant who would employ the stick ahead of the carrot any day. Several members of the Wales squad have made tongue-in-cheek claims that he scares them.

'It is all exaggerated,' said Edwards. 'People say I have been screaming in people's faces but that is absolute nonsense. I may have raised my voice every now and again but only to emphasise a point.

'The defensive side of the game requires an undercurrent of aggression, so the coach raising his voice in a constructive manner is a positive thing.

'But if I did it all the time I'm sure the players would soon stop listening to me. Some of the coaches I've had have been a lot harsher than me. If these players had Graham Lowe, who was our coach at Wigan between 1986 and 1989, then they'd know about it!'

As someone with colourful Irish ancestry, Edwards will approach Saturday's match at Croke Park with particular relish.

His great-grandfather used to 'fight for money on the streets of Ireland' and Shaun represented the country at league once — with hilarious consequences.

'I was coming towards the end of my career and I couldn't get picked for many other teams,' he said. 'I was only supposed to go over there for three days but I eventually got back 10 days later.

'It was the end of the season and I got kidnapped by the Collins crew (family). It was a very enjoyable week, from what I can remember!'

At the moment, he is far more clear-headed, having been off alcohol for a month. That is perhaps just as well, given the challenge of trying to shackle Brian O'Driscoll in Dublin.

'He's got very good physical attributes but he also has speed of thought which is the hallmark of a great sportsman,' said Edwards.

If the world's premier centre is denied the space to wreak havoc and Wales come home with a fourth successive win maybe Edwards will see those toll charges waived at last.