Reddan could provide sting in tail for Welsh wizards

IF Eddie O’Sullivan’s complex and seemingly fraught relationship with Warren Gatland has become the most intriguing subplot ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations tie against Wales, consider the advantage any insider knowledge Eoin Reddan can bring to the Irish camp, given his close working relationship with Wasps blitz defence coach extraordinaire, Shaun Edwards.

The former League stalwart’s standing has risen noticeably since becoming a valued member of the Wales coaching ticket, renewing on a part-time basis an old Wasps partnership with Gatland.

Gatland and Edwards brought unprecedented success to Wasps between 2002 and 2005, while both also kept a close eye on Irish players, first signing Johnny O’Connor, then Jeremy Staunton, before activating the process of bringing Reddan to Adams Park.