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Men's Rugby Union Wales's Edwards believes red cards are on the rise

WALES assistant coach Shaun Edwards said that he feels “there is a pretty good chance” that a player could be sent off in any given game at present.

Fierce debate raged about whether England co-captain Owen Farrell’s challenge on South Africa’s Andre Esterhuizen during the closing seconds of last Saturday’s Twickenham Test should have been punished.

But Farrell avoided sanction, not even being penalised, and England held on for a 12-11 victory as the Springboks were denied a last-gasp kick at goal.

Edwards said he had not seen the Farrell challenge but joked he had heard it was “definitely learnt on the rugby fields of Wigan” — a reference to Farrell’s rugby league roots.

With tackling height currently a major talking point in rugby amid a number of incidents already this season, it will inevitably remain under the spotlight throughout this month’s busy Test match schedule.

“At the moment you go to the game and there is a pretty good chance someone could get sent off,” Wales defence specialist Edwards said.

“Whether that adds to the intrigue or the excitement, someone being a red-hot favourite who then might lose because they have had someone sent off in the first 10 minutes, I don’t know.

“Only numbers through the gates and on pay-per-view would show that.

“We practise tackling low. We target tackling underneath the ball or round the legs.

“It is pretty difficult for big tall guys when the little fellas are 5ft 10in or whatever. I feel for them, but they have to adjust — it is as simple as that.”

Top of Edwards’s current agenda is trying to plot Australia’s downfall at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Wallabies have beaten Wales 13 times in succession, and this weekend’s encounter is their final meeting before a World Cup pool clash in Japan next autumn.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland names his team tomorrow, with the likes of wing Liam Williams, fly-half Dan Biggar and prop Rob Evans all being widely backed for call-ups following a 21-10 victory over Scotland three days ago.

Wales last beat Australia in 2008, and Edwards added: “Every time it [Australia] game comes around, you are hoping to break that [losing run].”

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