Welsh Rugby Union : Newsroom : Edwards up for 'ultimate challenge'

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Teams Wal v Ita Teams Wales v Italy Opposition Italy (H) Date 01/02/2014 Date 01/02/2014, KO 14:30 Date Sat 1st Feb 14 Home/away H Opposition Italy Venue Millennium Stadium Time KO 14:30 Referee Previous Meeting Ita 9-26 Wal Wal Form L L W W L Ita Form W L L L W Ticket Information Overview Teams Ire v Wal Teams Ireland v Wales Opposition Ireland (A) Date 08/02/2014 Date 08/02/2014, KO 14:30 Date Sat 8th Feb 14 Home/away A Opposition Ireland Venue AVIVA Stadium Time KO 14:30 Referee Previous Meeting Wal Form L L W W L Ire Form W W W L L Ticket Information Overview Teams Wal v Fra Teams Wales v France Opposition France (H) Date 21/02/2014 Date 21/02/2014, KO 20:00 Date Fri 21st Feb 14 Home/away H Opposition France Venue Millennium Stadium Time KO 20:00 Referee Previous Meeting Wal Form L L W W L Fra Form L L L D W Ticket Information Overview Teams Eng v Wal Teams England v Wales Opposition England (A) Date 09/03/2014 Date 09/03/2014, KO 15:00 Date Sun 9th Mar 14 Home/away A Opposition England Venue Twickenham Stadium Time KO 15:00 Referee Previous Meeting Wal Form L L W W L Eng Form W W W W L Ticket Information Overview Teams Wal v Sco Teams Wales v Scotland Opposition Scotland (H) Date 15/03/2014 Date 15/03/2014, KO 14:45 Date Sat 15th Mar 14 Home/away H Opposition Scotland Venue Millennium Stadium Time KO 14:45 Referee Previous Meeting Wal Form L L W W L Sco Form L W W L L Ticket Information Overview

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Newsroom

"We have seven weeks to get together to play a team that has been together for almost seven years," said Edwards.

"It's the biggest thing I've ever been a part of in my coaching career. We know the Springboks are a very good side and they have huge depth in quality with great experience, speed and power from 1-15."

Edwards realises the task at hand and was left frustrated after seeing the Lions try-line breached on three occasions by a makeshift Royal XV in the opening game last Saturday.

"The one thing we know for sure is that we aren't going to win a Test series if we let in three tries a game against the Springboks," said Edwards.

"The players are just an extension of me really. If they miss a tackle I'm with them in spirit and body. I'm just like a player who has a bad game when I see my team concede tries - it hurts," he added.

The British Lions tackle the Golden Lions in Johannesburg this afternoon in their second match of the tour. The home side has a sprinkling of talented players with Springbok flyhalf Andre Pretorius a particular threat.

Meanwhile Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has announced a 28-man squad for the Test series which includes uncapped Blue Bulls fly half Morne Steyn and Lions No 10 Earl Rose.

Springbok Squad:
Forwards:
John Smit - Sharks - Captain
Victor Matfield - Vodacom Blue Bulls - Vice-Captain
Andries Bekker - Vodacom Western Province
Bakkies Botha - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Schalk Burger - Vodacom Western Province
Deon Carstens - Sharks
Bismarck du Plessis - Sharks
Ryan Kankowski - Sharks
Tendai Mtawarira - Sharks
Chiliboy Ralepelle - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Danie Rossouw - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Juan Smith - Vodacom Cheetahs
Pierre Spies - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Gurthrö Steenkamp - Vodacom Blue Bulls

Backs:
Jean de Villiers - Vodacom Western Province
Fourie du Preez - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Jaque Fourie - Xerox Lions
Bryan Habana - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Adi Jacobs - Sharks
Ricky Januarie - Vodacom Western Province
Odwa Ndungane - Sharks
Jongi Nokwe - Vodacom Cheetahs
Wynand Olivier - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Ruan Pienaar - Sharks
JP Pietersen - Sharks
Earl Rose - Xerox Lions
Frans Steyn - Sharks
Morné Steyn - Vodacom Blue Bulls

WRU TV

Prabhat Mathema, the WRU's National Medical Manager explains the four part Pitchside Suspected Concussion Assessment process the IRB has devised that is being implemented throughout the Dove Men Series and in the LV= Cup this season, which includes the provision for a five minute temporary substitution to allow an assessment to take place.